The first leg of the 2024/25 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 playoffs. After a 2-2 draw in the first match, the team defeated their opponents 2-0 away. This victory ended Celje's streak of five away defeats 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 are unbeaten at home in 7 Conference League games (4 wins, 3 draws).
- The team has scored at least twice in their last five home matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Celje (4-3-3)
Ricardo Silva – Lukasz Bejger, Klemen Nemanjic, Zan Karnicnik, Juanjo Nieto – Svit Seslar, Tamar Svetlin, Mark Zabukovnik – Logan Deloyer-Chobe, Armandas Kucys, Alesha Matko.
Lugano
The Swiss team finished sixth in the main round and did not participate in the playoffs. Mattia Croci-Torti's side remained unbeaten in 5 of 6 matches (4 wins, 1 draw), and even in their sole defeat, they managed to score. Lugano has scored 11 goals, with seven clubs in the group having better records. In the previous edition of the tournament, the team finished fourth in Group D.
- Lugano conceded in 8 of their last 11 Conference League matches.
- The club has not drawn away 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, Alban Hajdari – Anto Grgic, Renato Steffen, Uran Bislimi, Haji Mahmoud, Hicham Mahou – Mattia Bottani.
Midfielder Uran Bislimi will miss the match due to suspension.
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%.
Match Prediction: Celje vs. Lugano
The Slovenians continue to display an attacking style in the Conference League. Albert Riera's side has scored in 8 of their last 9 matches in this tournament, finding the net at least twice in 6 of those games. However, focusing on attack has impacted their defense negatively. Celje has conceded in 13 of their 16 Conference League matches, and even at home, they have failed to keep a clean sheet in 6 consecutive games. Nevertheless, they have scored in every home match in this tournament.
The Swiss team also prefers not to sit back defensively. None of Lugano's group stage opponents managed to keep a clean sheet. Even away in the Conference League, Mattia Croci-Torti's side maintained their style: they scored in 6 of 7 matches. However, they have managed to keep a clean sheet in only one away match in their history in the Conference League.
My prediction: Both teams to score – yes