The second leg of the 2024/25 Conference League playoff between APOEL (Cyprus) and Celje (Slovenia) will take place on February 20 at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia. The first match ended in a 2-2 draw. APOEL vs. Celje: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
APOEL
The draw in the first leg against Celje (2-2) extended the Cypriots' unbeaten run in the Conference League to five matches (3 wins, 2 draws). However, it's worth noting that Manolo Jimenez's side managed to keep a clean sheet in only one of these matches. If the second leg ends in another draw after 90 minutes, extra time will be required.
- Both teams have scored in 6 of APOEL's last 8 matches in this tournament.
- The Cypriots have not lost in 7 of their last 9 home games in the Conference League (6 wins, 1 draw).
- In 4 of their last 5 home games in the Conference League, the club has scored no more than once.
Predicted lineup for APOEL (5-3-2)
Vid Belec – Konstantinos Laifis, Issam Chebake, Javi Quintilla, Lasha Dvali, Mateo Susic – Konstantinos Galanopoulos, David Abanjo, Sergio Tejera – Anastasios Donis, Stefan Dražić.
Defenders Lasha Dvali and Issam Chebake are suspended. Defender Radoslav Petrovic is injured.
Celje
The Slovenians have conceded at least two goals in five consecutive Conference League matches. With such defensive statistics, good results are hard to come by: Albert Riera's team has claimed just one victory in this period (2 draws, 2 losses). To avoid extra time, Celje needs to win. However, the team is on a five-match losing streak away from home in this tournament.
- At least three goals have been scored in 7 of the Slovenians' last 8 matches in the Conference League.
- The number "1" has appeared in the final scoreline in 6 of the team's last 7 away matches in the Conference League.
- The club has conceded first in their last 5 away games in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Celje (4-3-3)
Ricardo Silva – Lukasz Bejger, Klemen Nemanič, Žan Karničnik, Juanjo Nieto – Tamar Svetlin, Mark Zabukovnik, Mario Kvesić – Armandas Kučys, Logan Deloye-Chobe, Svit Sešlar.
Referee
John Beaton (Scotland)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 57;
Average yellow cards per match – 6.3;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 44%.
Match Prediction: APOEL vs. Celje
The draw in the first leg will likely make both teams play cautiously. The stakes are high, and neither side will want to risk too much for a goal. Both teams have struggled with scoring.
The Cypriots have scored more than one goal in only one of their last five home games in the Conference League. However, they have been defensively solid, conceding no more than one goal in 7 of their last 9 home matches in this tournament. The Slovenians have played seven away games in the Conference League and have managed to score more than once in only one of them.
In terms of outcome, my preference is for the hosts, who have not lost in 7 of their last 9 home games in the Conference League. Meanwhile, the Slovenians have lost five consecutive away matches in this tournament, including against another Cypriot team, Pafos.
My prediction: APOEL will not lose and Total under 3.5 goals
