The first leg of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 between Jagiellonia (Poland) and Cercle Brugge (Belgium) will take place on March 6 at the Miejski Stadium in Białystok. Jagiellonia vs. Cercle Brugge: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Jagiellonia
Adrian Semenets' side defeated TSC Bačka Topola twice in the playoffs with identical 3-1 scores. In their debut season in the Conference League, the Polish team remained unbeaten in 7 of 8 matches (5 wins, 2 draws), scoring in six of those games. Overall, the team has scored 16 goals, the third-highest tally among all participants in the main round. Notably, Jagiellonia has reached the Round of 16 in a European competition for the first time in their history.
- In 4 of their last 5 Conference League matches, the club conceded at least one goal.
- At home, the Polish side has not lost in this tournament (3 wins, 1 draw).
- In 3 of their last 4 home Conference League games, Jagiellonia scored at least two goals.
Predicted lineup for Jagiellonia (4-3-3)
Slawomir Abramowicz – Michal Sacek, Mateusz Skrzypczak, Enzo Ebosse, Joao Gervasio Moutinho – Leon Flak, Jaroslaw Kubicki, Kristoffer Hansen – Afimico Pululu, Jesus Imaz, Miki Villar.
Defender Michal Sacek, midfielders Kristoffer Hansen and Joao Gervasio Moutinho are injured.
Cercle Brugge
The Belgians finished eighth in the main stage, narrowly edging out Jagiellonia on tiebreakers. Ferdinand Feldhofer's team remained unbeaten in 5 of 6 matches (3 wins, 2 draws), scoring 14 goals in the process. Only Fiorentina (18) and Chelsea (26) scored more in the group stage. Like their upcoming opponents, Cercle Brugge is making their debut in the Conference League.
- Both teams scored in 6 of Cercle Brugge's 8 Conference League matches.
- Away from home, the club is unbeaten in 3 of 4 games in this tournament (2 wins, 1 draw).
- At least 4 goals have been scored in 3 of Cercle Brugge's 4 away Conference League games.
Predicted lineup for Cercle Brugge (3-4-3)
Maxime Delanghe – Senna Miangue, Christian Ravic, Edgaras Utkus – Abu Francis, Gary Magnée, Thibo Somers, Niels de Wilde – Paris Brunner, Felipe Augusto da Silva, Alan Minda.
Referee
Anastasios Sidiropoulos (Greece)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 31;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.4;
Red cards shown – 5;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 14%.
Jagiellonia vs. Cercle Brugge: Match Prediction
From teams ranked in the top five for scoring in this season's Conference League, it's hard to expect dull football. Especially since there are questions about the opponents' defenses. This factor will only help the clubs' attacks to shine.
Jagiellonia scored at least two goals in 6 of their 8 Conference League matches. Moreover, in four games, Adrian Semenets' side scored exactly three goals. However, they kept a clean sheet in only one of their last five Conference League matches. Even in their national league, among the top half of the table, only two clubs have conceded more than Jagiellonia.
Both teams scored in 6 of Cercle Brugge's 8 matches in this tournament, and the average goal count in their games, including qualifying, is 4.1. In four away Conference League games, the team scored 11 goals but also conceded 5.
My prediction: Total over 2.5 goals
