AEK Larnaca will host Celje on Thursday, 31 July, in the second leg of their Europa League qualifying tie.
With their first match ending in a draw, who will manage to get the win here to secure their place in the next stage? Find that out and more from our AEK Larnaca vs Celje prediction below.
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AEK Larnaca vs Celje prediction: A close contest expected
Key stats
- Only one of AEK's six matches since the start of the new season has ended without both teams scoring.
- We saw both teams score in eight of the last 10 Celje's matches, going back to last season.
- AEK Larnaca have only lost once in the six games they played this season, including the pre-season friendlies.
Correct score prediction: AEK Larnaca 2-1 Celje
This is a duel between two teams of similar qualities and they both had to go through extra time in the first round of the Europa League qualifiers to get here (AEK also needed penalties).
Furthermore, the two teams drew in their first leg in Slovenia and we expect a similarly close game in Cyprus too, but we can see the hosts edging out Celje to get to the next stage.
Pre-game odds and win probability: AEK Larnaca the more likely winners
- HOME: 17/20 (1.85) – 54.10%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.40%
- AWAY: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.80%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
It is clear from these AEK Larnaca vs Celje odds that the hosts are the expected winners, which makes sense after they managed to avoid a loss in the first game in Slovenia.
Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips if you enjoyed our tips for this match.
Most recent H2Hs: Their second meeting
The 1-1 draw in Slovenia last week was the first time these two teams have ever met, which was also the first meeting ever for AEK Larnaca with a club from Slovenia.
Meanwhile, Celje have met with Cyprian teams before their duel with AEK last week, notching one win, a draw, and a loss each in the three games they've played against them.
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 24/07/25
NK Celje
AEK Larnaca
AEK Larnaca preview: Hoping to build on the first-leg result
A draw against Celje in Slovenia puts AEK in a good position for the rematch since any win will get them to the next stage. That being said, AEK have only managed to win two of their six games since the start of this season, including friendlies. In the last round of the Europa League qualifiers, AEK eliminated Partizan Belgrade only after penalties.
Meanwhile, Enzo Cabrera and Giorgos Naoum both missed the games against Partizan with injuries and remain doubtful for this match.
Predicted lineup: Alomerovic (GK), Garcia, Roberge, Milicevic, Ekpolo, Pons, Ledes, Rohden, Chacon, Angielski & Rubio
Cyprus Division 1 12/05/25
W
Apollon Limassol
0
AEK Larnaca
3
Cyprus Cup 07/05/25
W
Omonia Nicosia
1
AEK Larnaca
2
Cyprus Division 1 04/05/25
W
Apoel Nicosia
0
AEK Larnaca
3
Cyprus Cup 30/04/25
D
Omonia Nicosia
0
AEK Larnaca
0
Cyprus Division 1 27/04/25
L
Aris Limassol
1
AEK Larnaca
0
Celje preview: Hoping for a better performance in the second leg
In the previous round of the Europa League qualifiers, Celje beat Sabah Baku away from home, but then they lost at their own ground. Following the same concerning pattern, Celje failed to beat AEK at home in the first leg a week ago, so now they'll have to look for a win in Cyprus if they want to reach the next stage.
When it comes to team news, Armandas Kucys, who was Celje's best scorer last season, remains out with a long-term cruciate ligament injury.
Predicted lineup: Sluga (GK), Karnicnik, Tutyskinas, Vuklisevic, Nieto, Kvesic, Zabukovnik, Avdyli, Sturm, Kovacevic & Iosifov
UEFA Conference League 17/04/25
D
Fiorentina
2
NK Celje
2
Slovenia Prva Liga 13/04/25
W
NS Mura
1
NK Celje
2
UEFA Conference League 10/04/25
L
Fiorentina
2
NK Celje
1
Slovenia Prva Liga 06/04/25
W
NK Bravo
1
NK Celje
2
Slovenia Cup 02/04/25
W
NK Maribor
0
NK Celje
1
Player to watch: Franko Kovacevic
With three goals in two matches against Sabah Baku, Kovacevic was crucial in Celje's progression to the next stage of the Europa League qualifiers. The forward also scored Celje's only goal in the first leg against AEK Larnaca, from the penatly.
The 25-year-old forward is currently the top scorer in the Europa League qualifiers and he'll be the focus of Celje's attack in the second leg against AEK as well.