The first leg of the 2025/26 Conference League play-off tie between Drita (Kosovo) and Celje (Slovenia) will take place on 19 February at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina. Drita vs Celje: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Drita
Drita went unbeaten in their first four matches, recording two wins and two draws, but the overall phase ended in disappointment. In their last two Conference League games, the home team were outclassed by AZ Alkmaar and Rayo Vallecano, losing both matches 0:3. In just those two fixtures, the club conceded three times as many goals as they had shipped across their first four matches combined. They also failed to score twice, having previously found the net in six straight Conference League games. Drita dropped to 20th in the standings, but they have still achieved their main goal — the club have reached the European play-offs for the first time in their history.
- In the Conference League overall phase, the team scored just four goals in total — the worst tally, along with Shkendija.
- The club won with a (+1.5) handicap in seven of their previous nine matches in this competition.
- At least one team failed to score in five of Drita's last seven Conference League matches.
Potential Drita Lineup (4-4-2)*
Laurit Behluli – Raddi Ovuka, Yorgo Pelumbi, Egzon Bejtulai, Besnik Krasniki – Blerton Sheyi, Ilir Mustafa, Albert Dabikaj, Almir Ajzeraj – Arb Manaj, Blerim Krasniki.
Midfielder Mamadou Soumaoro has served his suspension, but defender Blerton Sheyi is now banned for an accumulation of yellow cards. Goalkeeper Faton Maloku and midfielder Ron Broja are unavailable through injury.
Celje
Celje did not drop a single point in the first half of the overall phase, but they ran out of steam in the second. After a five-match winning run including qualifying, the away team failed to win three straight Conference League matches, taking just one point from a possible nine during that spell. In their last two games, Celje did not score at all, having previously found the net in 15 consecutive matches in this tournament. As a result, the club dropped out of the leading pack and slipped to 13th in the standings. The Slovenians have reached the Conference League play-offs for the second season in a row — last term they went out at the quarter-final stage.
- At least two goals have been scored in 11 consecutive away matches for Celje in the Conference League.
- The team's uncompromising away run in this competition stands at five matches (three wins, two defeats).
- The Slovenians have scored in seven of their previous eight away matches in the Conference League.
Potential Celje Lineup (3-4-3)*
Luka Kolar – Juanjo Nieto, Lukas Bejger, Gasper Vodeb – Mario Kvesic, Svit Seslar, Ivan Calusic, Ivica Vidovic – Jakov Pranjic, Armandas Kucys, Milet Avdili.
Defender Zan Karnicnik is unavailable due to injury.
Referee
Chris Kavanagh (England)
Matches – 8 (International fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second bookings) – 22;
Yellow cards per match – 2.7;
Red cards shown – 1;
Fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 13%.
Drita vs Celje: Match Prediction
Drita have booked their place in the play-offs, but they have struggled for goals in attack. Across six matchdays of the Conference League overall phase, they scored just four goals in total — no club that reached the knockout stage scored fewer. In that spell, the team never scored more than once in 90 minutes, while their last two matches were completely goalless. On home soil, Drita have gone over the two-goal mark in only two of their last nine Conference League matches.
Celje, meanwhile, rarely suffer major defensive collapses. Although there is room for improvement, the Slovenians conceded more than once in only two of their last eight Conference League matches. If we look at their away record this European season, the club kept a clean sheet in three of their last five games on the road. Against such a modest opponent as Drita, the visitors should also deliver a solid performance at the back.
Prediction: Drita, under 1 goal
* For each team, the starting XI listed is from their previous match in this tournament.