/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2026%2F07%2FICONSPORT_362333_0042.jpg)
With the second round of Champions League qualifying set to begin this week, hosts Egnatia will look to take a first-leg advantage on Wednesday against Celje at Arena Egnatia.
Egnatia advanced comfortably from the first qualifying round, getting the better of Petrocub by winning 7-2 on aggregate, while opponents Celje have only been entered into the competition at this stage.
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.
Egnatia vs Celje key stats
- Egnatia have found the back of the net in 10 of their 14 games in UEFA competitions.
- Celje have scored at least two goals in nine of their last 12 away fixtures in Europe.
- Egnatia have scored one or fewer goals in seven of their past 10 European matches.
- Celje scored two goals before half time in each of their last two away European games.
Egnatia vs Celje preview: A step too far in the Champions League for the hosts?
Egnatia vs Celje — Tale of the Tape
| Egnatia | vs | Celje |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd (2025-26 Albanian Kategoria Superiore) | Position | 5th (Prva Liga) |
| 57 | Points | 1 |
| 42 | Goals For | 2 |
| 34 | Goals Against | 2 |
| 17 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 3rd | Home / Away Rank | 8th |
Egnatia drew 1-1 with Petrocub away from home in the first leg of the second qualifying round on July 8, but they advanced as 7-2 winners overall after beating their opponents 6-1 at home on July 15.
The hosts do not have a particularly storied history on the continental stage given Wednesday's clash will be just their 15th game in UEFA affiliated competitions, and it will be just their ninth in the Champions League.
The furthest Egnatia have advanced in the qualifiers is the second round in 2024-25, when they lost 2-1 on aggregate to Vikingur Reykjavik.
Boss Nevil Dede's side are unbeaten in five games in all competitions, and a win on Wednesday would be their fifth victory in six games, though three of those wins came from league fixtures in the Albanian top flight.
Celje have enjoyed two consecutive seasons in the Conference League, and they even managed to reach the quarter-finals of the competition in 2024-25, though they only advanced into the round of 16 in 2025-26.
The club have never reached the league or group phase of the Champions League, but their pedigree on the continental stage is far superior to their hosts, who have never made it past the qualifiers of a UEFA tournament.
Vitor Campelos's side have never encountered Egnatia, but the fact his team have emerged as victors in five of their seven most recent away trips in Europe will be comforting.
Number 10 Svit Seslar scored twice on July 17 against Mura in the Slovenian top flight, and he will likely be part of the starting lineup on Wednesday.
Egnatia vs Celje form guide & betting tips
| Egnatia | vs | Celje |
|---|---|---|
W
W
W
D
W
|
Form |
D
|
| 15 | Goals For | 2 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 2 |
DW |
Europa League qualifying | N/A |
Whispers predicts: Egnatia 1-2 Celje
The bookmakers appear to favour Celje, whose victory has been priced at 1/5 (1.2), and their strong odds almost certainly stem from their considerable experience in Europe.
However, while Celje may win, their opponents have frequently found the back of the net in Europe, meaning backing Both Teams to Score at 10/11 (1.91) would be sensible.
It should be noted that the visitors have frequently scored at least two goals away from home in European competitions, so it makes sense to predict Celje to Score Over 1.5 Goals at 23/20 (2.15).
Celje have also scored two goals before half time in each of their last two away fixtures in Europe, and there could be value in predicting the First Half to be Celje's Highest Scoring Half at 9/4 (3.25)
> Both Teams to Score at 10/11 (1.91) | Likelihood: Likely
> Celje to Score Over 1.5 Goals at 23/20 (2.15) | Likelihood: Possible
> First Half to be Celje's Highest Scoring Half at 9/4 (3.25) | Likelihood: Outsider