The second-leg play-off tie in the 2025/26 Conference League between Celje (Slovenia) and Drita (Kosovo) will take place on 26 February at Stadion Z'dezele. The first-leg score was 3:2 in favour of Celje. Celje vs Drita: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Celje
Last Thursday, the Slovenian side let a two-goal lead slip, but still snatched victory thanks to a 90th-minute goal. That result ended a three-match winless run in the Conference League (one draw, two defeats). It is worth noting that in that one match Celje scored as many goals as they had managed across their previous four games in the competition combined. Even so, the club have now kept just one clean sheet in their last five Conference League matches. To book a place in the next round, Celje at least need to avoid defeat over 90 minutes.
- The hosts are unbeaten in four home matches in the Conference League (three wins, one draw).
- At least two goals have been scored in seven of the club's last eight games in this European competition.
- Celje have scored in 14 of their last 15 home matches in the Conference League.
Potential Celje Lineup (4-3-3)*
Zan Luk Leban – Juanjo Nieto, Lukas Bejger, Darko Hrca, Artemijus Tutyskinas – Mario Kvesic, Svit Seslar, Ivan Calusic – Nikita Iosifov, Armandas Kucys, Milet Avdili.
Defender Zan Karnicnik is unavailable due to injury.
Drita
After losing last week, the visitors suffered a third straight defeat in the Conference League. Before that run, Drita had gone six European matches without defeat, with four of those six ending in victory. It should be noted that after a brief two-game goalless spell, the club scored two goals at once – for the first time in their last eight Conference League matches. At the same time, due to repeated defensive errors, the team have conceded three goals for a third consecutive match in this competition. Drita now must win, and even a one-goal victory would only take the game to extra time.
- The visitors have scored in seven of their previous nine Conference League matches.
- The team's run without draws in this European competition stands at five matches (two wins, three defeats).
- Five of Drita's last six away games in the Conference League have produced under 2.5 goals.
Potential Drita Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Faton Maloku – Raddy Ovouka, Yorgo Pelumbi, Egzon Bejtulai, Besnik Krasniqi – Vesel Limaj, Albert Dabiqaj – Almir Ajzeraj, Veton Tusha, Kemelo Ngwena – Kristal Abazaj.
Defender Blerton Sheji has served his suspension. Midfielder Ron Broja will miss out through injury.
Referee
Damian Sylwestrzak (Poland)
Matches – 9 (international fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 38;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.2;
Red cards shown – 2;
Fouls per match on average – 27;
Penalties – 56.
Celje vs Drita: Match Prediction
The high-scoring game in Pristina showed that both sides are seriously lacking reliability at the back. Neither team scored in their previous two Conference League matches, but here they produced five goals between them. Celje's downturn in attack can be described as a very rare occurrence, because before the start of winter the club had scored in 15 straight games in the Conference League. Before the goalless draw in their most recent home match against Shelbourne, the Slovenian side's scoring run on home soil had reached 14 matches. Notably, in 11 of those 14 games we saw both teams score.
Drita are not traditionally known for a highly efficient attack, but in the home game against Celje they scored two goals in the Conference League for the first time since August last year. Overall, since the start of the current European season the visitors have scored at least one goal in seven of their last nine matches. However, there has been a sharp drop in the quality of their defensive work over the winter. The club have failed to keep a clean sheet in three straight Conference League matches, conceding nine goals in total in that period.
It is quite likely that in the return leg each team will create at least one chance to score.
Prediction: Both teams to score – Yes
* For each team, the starting XI listed is the line-up from their previous match in this competition.
