The first leg of the 2024/25 Conference League playoff between Celje (Slovenia) and APOEL (Cyprus) will take place on February 13 at the Celje Stadium. Celje vs. APOEL: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Celje
The Slovenians, in their second season in the Conference League, managed to advance from the group stage. Albert Riera's side remained unbeaten in 3 out of 6 matches (2 wins, 1 draw) and ultimately finished in 21st place. Notably, Celje was among the six teams that conceded in all their matches in the main stage. In the previous tournament, the club did not even make it to the main round.
- At least three goals were scored in 6 of Celje's last 7 games in the Conference League.
- The team has not lost at home in 6 Conference League matches (4 wins, 2 draws).
- Celje opened the scoring in 6 of their last 7 home games in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Celje (4-5-1)
Matej Rozman – David Zec, Klemen Nemanič, Žan Karničnik, Juanjo Nieto – Marko Dulka, Svit Sešlar, Tamar Svetlin, Mark Zabukovnik, Klemen Lernau – Edmilson Filho.
Head coach Albert Riera is suspended for the upcoming match.
APOEL
The Cypriots navigated the main stage more confidently than their immediate opponent. The team suffered only one defeat (3 wins, 2 draws) and finished in 11th place. Manolo Jiménez's side demonstrated excellent defensive play: APOEL conceded only 5 goals, the lowest in the tournament. In the previous European campaign, the club fell just short of reaching the group stage.
- The islanders have scored in 6 of their last 7 Conference League matches.
- The Cypriots have not lost in 5 of their last 6 away matches in the Conference League (4 wins, 1 draw).
- In 7 of their last 9 away games in this tournament, APOEL has not conceded more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for APOEL (5-3-2)
Vid Belec – Konstantinos Laifis, Issam Chebake, Javi Quintillà, David Abagna, Radosav Petrović – Georgi Kostadinov, Diumerci Ndongala, Sergio Tejera – Anastasios Donis, Youssef El Arabi.
Midfielder Giannis Satsias will miss the match due to suspension. Defender Radosav Petrović and midfielder Kingsley Sarfo are injured.
Referee
Mykola Balakin (Ukraine)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 22;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.1;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 29%.
Celje vs. APOEL: Match Prediction
The Slovenians have been the most prolific team among all playoff participants. Albert Riera's side scored 13 goals, failing to score only in the away game against Pafos in the group stage. However, they also conceded 13 goals, with only four clubs having a worse record. High-scoring games are typical for the Slovenians in the Conference League, especially at home, where both teams have scored in five consecutive matches.
The small number of goals conceded by the Cypriots should not be misleading. In the group stage, Manolo Jiménez's side managed only one clean sheet. Away from home, APOEL has failed to keep a clean sheet in 5 of their last 7 Conference League games. While their scoring is modest, it is consistent. In the main round of this tournament, the club had only one match without a goal, and in the Conference League, the islanders scored in 5 of their last 6 away games.
My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
