The first leg of the 2024/25 Europa League quarter-final between Celje (Slovenia) and Fiorentina (Italy) will take place on April 10 at the Zdezele Stadium. Celje vs. Fiorentina: prediction, betting odds, statistics.
Celje
Albert Riera's team advanced to the quarter-finals after overcoming two playoff rounds. Celje defeated APOEL on aggregate (2-2 and 2-0) and then prevailed in a tough encounter against Lugano (1-0 and 3-4, extra time 1-1, penalties 3-1). Notably, the defeat in regular time in the return leg in Switzerland was the first for the Slovenians in their last five matches in the Conference League (3 wins, 1 draw). Additionally, the club has scored 22 goals in the current tournament, ranking third in this category.
- The team scored at least twice in regular time in 5 of their last 6 home matches in the Conference League.
- The club conceded exactly one or two goals in 90 minutes in 5 of their last 7 home matches in this European competition.
- At least three goals were scored in regular time in 5 of Celje's last 6 home matches in the Conference League.
Predicted lineup for Celje (4-3-3)
Ricardo Silva – Lukasz Bejger, Damjan Vukliševic, Žan Karničnik, Juanjo Nieto – Marko Dulka, Tamar Svetlin, Mark Zabukovnik – Logan Deloyer-Chobe, Armandas Kučys, Svit Sešlar.
Fiorentina
Raffaele Palladino's side skipped the playoffs by finishing in the top 8 in the group stage (third place). In the round of 16, Fiorentina faced Panathinaikos and overcame them with some difficulty – after a 2-3 away loss, the team won with the necessary score at home (3-1). The Italians have scored in all eight matches in the current Conference League campaign, and with 23 goals, they are second only to Chelsea (29).
- The club conceded exactly one or two goals in regular time in 5 of their last 6 away matches in the Conference League.
- The team did not score more than one goal in 90 minutes in 5 of their last 7 away matches in this European competition.
- The Italians allowed their opponents to score in the first half in 5 of their last 6 away matches in the Conference League.
Predicted lineup for Fiorentina (4-3-3)
David de Gea – Marin Pongračić, Luca Ranieri, Pietro Comuzzo, Robin Gosens – Danilo Cataldi, Rolando Mandragora, Nicolò Fagioli – Albert Gudmundsson, Moise Kean, Dodo.
Midfielder Andrea Colpani will not play due to injury.
Referee
Felix Zwayer (Germany)
Matches – 11 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 67;
Average yellow cards per match – 6.1;
Red cards shown – 6;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 36%.
Celje vs. Fiorentina: Match Prediction
The Slovenians are participating in the Conference League for the second consecutive season and have already proven they can trouble any opponent at home. Celje does not sit back in defense and tries to spend as much time as possible in attack, putting pressure on opponents' defenses. In nine home matches in this European competition, the team has never left the field without scoring, and in six cases, they scored at least twice.
Fiorentina has a quality attacking lineup and regularly finds the back of the net even away from home: in 10 of their last 11 away matches in the Conference League, the club has breached opponents' defenses in regular time. However, the Italians are not always flawless at the back: they have conceded in each of their last six away matches in this tournament.
I anticipate an active attacking game from both sides. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
