The first leg of the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League Round of 16 between Celje (Slovenia) and Lugano (Switzerland) will take place on March 6 at the Celje Stadium. Celje vs. Lugano: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Celje
The Slovenians overcame APOEL in the play-offs. After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, the team defeated their opponent 2-0 away from home. Notably, this victory ended a five-match away losing streak for Celje in the Conference League. Additionally, Albert Riera's side kept a clean sheet for the first time in their last 13 Conference League matches. Reaching the Round of 16 is the club's best achievement in this tournament.
- At least three goals have been scored in 7 of Celje's last 9 Conference League matches.
- Celje has not lost at home in their last 7 Conference League matches (4 wins, 3 draws).
- The team has scored at least twice in their last five home games in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Celje (4-3-3)
Ricardo Silva – Lukasz Bejger, Klemen Nemanja, Žan Karnicnik, Juanjo Nieto – Svita Sešlar, Tamar Svetlin, Mark Zabukovnik – Logan Deloyer-Chobe, Armandas Kučys, Aljoša Matko.
Lugano
The Swiss team finished sixth in the main round and did not participate in the play-offs. Mattia Croci-Torti's side avoided defeat in 5 of 6 matches (4 wins, 1 draw), and even in the lost match, they managed to score. However, Lugano has only 11 goals to their name, with seven teams in the group having a higher tally. In the previous edition of this tournament, the team finished last in Group D.
- Lugano has conceded in 8 of their last 11 Conference League games.
- The club has not drawn an away match in the Conference League (3 wins, 4 losses).
- Lugano has scored at least one goal in 6 of their last 7 away matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Lugano (4-5-1)
Amir Saipi – Antonios Papadopoulos, Mattia Zanotti, Milton Valenzuela, Albian Hajdari – Anto Grgic, Renato Steffen, Uran Bislimi, Hajr Mahmud, Hicham Mahou – Mattia Bottani.
Midfielder Uran Bislimi will miss the match due to suspension. Forwards Ignacio Aliseda and Shkelqim Vladi are injured.
Referee
Antonio Nobre (Portugal)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 25;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.6;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 43%.
Celje vs. Lugano: Match Prediction
The Slovenians continue to display attacking prowess in the Conference League. Albert Riera's side has scored in 8 of their last 9 matches in this tournament, and in 6 of those games, they scored at least twice. However, their focus on attack has not benefited their defense, as Celje has conceded in 13 of their last 16 Conference League games. Even at home, the team has failed to keep a clean sheet in 6 consecutive matches, although they have scored in all their home games in this tournament.
The Swiss also prefer not to sit back in defense. None of Lugano's group stage opponents managed to keep a clean sheet. Even away in the Conference League, Mattia Croci-Torti's side sticks to their style, scoring in 6 of 7 matches. However, they have only managed to keep a clean sheet in one away game in the history of their Conference League participation.
My prediction: Both teams to score – Yes
