The first leg of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 between Jagiellonia (Poland) and Cercle Brugge (Belgium) will take place on March 6 at the Miejski Stadium in Białystok. Jagiellonia vs. Cercle Brugge: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Jagiellonia
Adrian Semenec's team defeated TSC Bačka Topola twice in the playoff matches, both with a score of 3-1. In their debut season in the Conference League, the Polish side remained unbeaten in 7 out of 8 matches (5 wins, 2 draws), scoring in six of those games. Overall, the team has scored 16 goals, the third-highest among all participants in the main round. Additionally, Jagiellonia has reached the Round of 16 in a European competition for the first time in their history.
- In 4 of their last 5 Conference League matches, the club conceded at least one goal.
- At home in this tournament, the Polish team has not lost (3 wins, 1 draw).
- In 3 of their last 4 home games in the Conference League, Jagiellonia scored at least two goals.
Predicted lineup for Jagiellonia (4-3-3)
Sławomir Abramowicz – Michał Sacek, Mateusz Skrzypczak, Enzo Eboss, João Gervásio Moutinho – Leon Flak, Jarosław Kubicki, Kristoffer Hansen – Afimico Pululu, Jesús Imaz, Miki Villar.
Cercle Brugge
The Belgian side finished eighth in the main stage, edging out Jagiellonia only on tiebreakers. Ferdinand Feldhofer's team remained unbeaten in 5 out of 6 matches (3 wins, 2 draws) and scored 14 goals. Only Fiorentina (18) and Chelsea (26) had more goals in the group stage. Like their upcoming opponents, Cercle Brugge is also debuting in the Conference League.
- Both teams scored in 6 out of 8 of Cercle Brugge's Conference League matches.
- Away from home, the club has not lost in 3 out of 4 matches in this tournament (2 wins, 1 draw).
- At least 4 goals were scored in 3 out of 4 of Cercle Brugge's away games in the Conference League.
Predicted lineup for Cercle Brugge (3-4-3)
Maxime Delanghe – Senna Miang, Christian Ravic, Edgaras Utkus – Abu Francis, Gary Magnée, Thibo Somers, Niels De Wilde – Paris Brunner, Felipe Augusto da Silva, Alan Minda.
Referee
Anastasios Sidiropoulos (Greece)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 31;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.4;
Red cards shown – 5;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 14%.
Jagiellonia vs. Cercle Brugge: Match Prediction
With both teams ranking among the top 5 in terms of scoring in this season's Conference League, it's hard to expect a dull game. There are also concerns about the opponents' defenses, which should allow the attacking units to shine.
Jagiellonia has scored at least two goals in 6 out of 8 Conference League matches. Moreover, in four games, Adrian Semenec's team scored exactly three goals. However, the Polish side has kept a clean sheet in only one of their last five Conference League matches. Even in their national league, among the top half of the table, only two clubs have conceded more than Jagiellonia.
Both teams scored in 6 out of 8 of Cercle Brugge's matches in this tournament, with the average goal tally, including qualifiers, at 4.1 goals per game. In four away games in the Conference League, the team scored 11 goals but also conceded 5 times.
My prediction: Total over 2.5 goals