Lugano will host Celje in the second leg of their Conference League tie on Thursday, 13 March.
Will the hosts be able to overturn the one-goal advantage from Celje or will we see the guests avoid a loss and secure their place in the next stage? Read our Lugano vs Celje prediction and preview to learn more about this match.
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Lugano vs Celje prediction: A close affair in Switzerland
Key Stats
- Celje have gone under 2.5 total goals in four of their last seven matches across the board.
- Lugano enter this match on a five-game losing streak.
- Celje have only lost once in their last eight games.
Correct score prediction: Lugano 1-1 Celje
With Lugano struggling to find their best form and Celje doing all right lately, including their win over Lugano in Slovenia last week, we can see the guests defending this advantage and holding on for a draw in Switzerland.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies backing Lugano to win
- HOME: 8/11 (1.73) – 57.90%
- DRAW: 11/4 (3.75) – 26.70%
- AWAY: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.80%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
It's clear from the Lugano vs Celje odds that the hosts are the expected winners and we're not surprised to see this since Lugano are probably a better team on paper than Celje.
However, we would've expected a bit higher odds on the hosts considering Lugano's poor form and the result from the first leg.
In any case, if you enjoyed our predictions for this game , make sure to read our latest betting tips for today too.
Most recent H2Hs: Second-ever duel
Celje and Lugano have never met before their meeting last week, which Celje won 1-0. This will also be only the second time for Lugano to play any Slovenian team.
Meanwhile, Celje have played twice against a Swiss team Lusanne in 2002 season, with both games ending in draws.
UEFA Conference League 06/03/25
NK Celje
Lugano
Lugano preview: Hoping to end their losing streak
While Lugano have done well in Europe and finished sixth in the Conference League standings to secure a direct spot in the Round of 16, things haven't gone that great for them lately. They have now lost five games in a row in all competitions and while they're still in the title race in the Swiss league and only chase a one-goal deficit against Celje, their recent form doesn't bode well for their them.
Meanwhile, both Mattia Bottani and Antonios Papadopoulos are suspended for this game, while Ignacio Aliseda and Martim Marques are injured.
Predicted lineup: Saipi (GK), El Wafi, Mai, Hajdari, Zanotti, Mahmoud, Grgic, Valenzuela, Steffen, Koutsias & Cimignani
Switzerland Super League 09/03/25
L
FC Sion
2
Lugano
1
UEFA Conference League 06/03/25
L
NK Celje
1
Lugano
0
Switzerland Super League 02/03/25
L
FC Zurich
3
Lugano
0
Switzerland Cup 26/02/25
L
Biel Bienne
2
Lugano
0
Switzerland Super League 23/02/25
L
Young Boys
1
Lugano
0
Celje preview: Not the best season so far
With 36 points from 24 games in their domestic championship, Celje have struggled to keep up the pace with other top teams in the league and are currently only fifth in the standings, so they'll have to do much better in the rest of the season if they want to secure a spot in some European competition for next season.
On the bright side, Celje have done well in the Conference League and have a solid chance of reaching the next stage.
When it comes to team news, Nejc Ajhmajer is the only injured player at the club at this time, but Klemen Nemanic will also miss the next match to serve a suspension.
Predicted lineup: Silva (GK), Nieto, Vuklisevic, Bejger, Karnicnik, Seslar, Zabukovnik, Kvesic, Delaurier-Chaubet, Kucys & Svetlin
Slovenia Prva Liga 09/03/25
D
NK Primorje Ajdovscina
2
NK Celje
2
UEFA Conference League 06/03/25
W
Lugano
0
NK Celje
1
Slovenia Prva Liga 02/03/25
L
Olimpija Ljubljana
2
NK Celje
0
Slovenia Cup 26/02/25
W
Tabor Sezana
2
NK Celje
3
Slovenia Prva Liga 23/02/25
W
NK Radomlje
1
NK Celje
9
Player to watch: Armandas Kucys
The Lithuanian forward is having his breakthrough season in Europe with Celje as the 22-year-old has five goals in the Conference League so far. Kucys will certainly be the main threat to Lugano and they'll have to keep a close eye on him in this match.
