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Travelling from Slovenia to Germany, Celje are preparing to make their Europa League debut on Wednesday night when they face Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena.
Carles Martinez Novell's side have endured a mixed start to the campaign, following a 4-0 DFB-Pokal victory over Wehen with an opening-day defeat, a 4-0 win over Union Berlin and a 2-2 draw away to Augsburg at the weekend.
The visitors, meanwhile, enter the Europa League after their Champions League qualifying campaign came to an end at the hands of Slovan.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Celje key stats
- Leverkusen have scored nine goals across their last three matches, including a 4-0 home victory over Union Berlin.
- Leverkusen recorded 30 shots against Augsburg, the most by any Bundesliga team in a single match this season.
- Celje scored in all six of their Champions League qualifying matches this summer.
- This will be Celje's first-ever Europa League clash.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Celje preview: Can the Bundesliga side make a winning start in Europe?
Bayer Leverkusen vs Celje — Tale of the Tape
| Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga) | vs | Celje (Slovenian PrvaLiga) |
|---|---|---|
| 7th | Position | 7th |
| 4 | Points | 11 |
| 8 | Goals For | 11 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 11 |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 7th / 9th | Home / Away Rank | 6th / 6th |
Following a disappointing sixth-placed finish in the Bundesliga last season, Bayer Leverkusen turned to new manager Carles Martinez Novell, who arrived after three seasons in France with Toulouse.
Martinez Novell's side got off to a winning start under the Spanish coach in the cup, cruising to a 4-0 victory away to Wehen before tasting every possible result across their opening three league matches.
Die Werkself suffered a surprising defeat away to Elversberg on the opening day before securing their second 4-0 win of the season against Union Berlin and, more recently, drawing 2-2 away to Augsburg.
The inconsistent run has nevertheless shown plenty of quality, and after three league matches only three teams in Germany's top flight have scored more goals, an attacking threat Leverkusen will hope to carry into their European campaign.
As for the visitors, they make their debut in the competition after coming close to securing Champions League football just a few weeks ago.
Celje, led by Portuguese boss Vitor Campelos, faced Slovan in a Champions League playoff tie but lost 3-2 on aggregate, forcing them to drop into Europe's second-tier continental competition.
Since their narrow defeat to the Slovakian side, Grofje have struggled to regain their form and enter their first Europa League game of the season with just two wins from their last five, losing the other three to leave them seventh in their 10-team division.
Last season saw Celje lift their domestic league title for the third time in their history, while also boasting the best attacking and defensive records in the division.
However, after eight league matches they rank near the bottom for both areas and will be hoping the occasion of European football can help turn their fortunes around.
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Celje form guide & betting tips
| Bayer Leverkusen | vs | Celje |
|---|---|---|
WLWD |
Form (All Comps) | LWLWL |
| 12 | Goals For | 7 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 7 |
| N/A | Europa League | N/A |
Whispers predicts: Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 Celje
There is a significant gulf in class between the two sides, and we expect that to become evident on Wednesday night when they come head to head at the BayArena.
A home win is priced at 1/6, while our exact scoreline of 3-0 comes in at 7/1, with Over 2.5 goals priced at 2/7.
Patrick Schick is averaging a goal a game in the Bundesliga, and he is priced at 8/15 to find the back of the net in this one.
> Bayer Leverkusen to win at 1/6 | Likelihood: Very likely
> Patrick Schick to score anytime at 8/15 | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 2/7 | Likelihood: Probable
> Exact scoreline of 3-0 at | Likelihood: Possible