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Celje will visit Tehelne Pole Stadion for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie with Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday.
The visitors have won three consecutive games and will set their sights on securing a place in Europe's biggest club football competition for the first time in history.
Slovan Bratislava, meanwhile, will look to extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches.
Read our Slovan Bratislava vs Celje prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Slovan Bratislava vs Celje key stats
- Slovan Bratislava have led at HT in seven of their last nine outings.
- Seven of Celje's last nine fixtures produced goals at both ends.
- At least three goals were scored in three of Slovan Bratislava's last four games.
Slovan Bratislava vs Celje preview: Vengeance on the cards?
Slovan Bratislava vs Celje — Tale of the Tape
| Slovan Bratislava | vs | Celje |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd (Slovakian Superliga) | Position | 2nd (Slovenia Prvaliga) |
| 9 | Points | 8 |
| 12 | Goals For | 7 |
| 0 | Goals Against | 4 |
| 3 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 2nd | Home / Away Rank | 8th |
It was business as usual for Slovan Bratislava over the weekend, as they cruised to a comfortable 5-0 victory over Ruzomberok in the Nike Liga.
The hosts have now won four consecutive matches and have had a near-perfect record in their last nine outings across all competitions (W8, D1).
A solid defence has been the cornerstone of the Slovakian side’s recent success, as they have conceded only twice in seven competitive fixtures this season.
It is worth mentioning that Slovan Bratislava have advanced to the group stage of at least one UEFA club competition in each of the last five campaigns. However, their only appearance in the Champions League in the last two decades came during the 2024/25 season, where they lost all eight matches in the league phase.
Although head coach Yaya Toure has no new injury concerns ahead of this skirmish, Nino Marcelli, who picked up an injury in April, remains out of the squad alongside Andraz Sporar, who has missed the team’s last six matches due to a hamstring problem.
Like their opponents, Celje have been a tough team to beat, with the visitors losing only one of their last 10 fixtures across all competitions.
While the Slovenian champions are still hunting for their first-ever UEFA Champions League berth, they have featured in the Conference League over the past two seasons, advancing to at least the round of 16 on both occasions.
Lukasz Bejger has been sidelined since the first week of May and is the only absentee for the visiting team.
Interestingly, Celje's last Champions League qualifying campaign ended at the hands of Slovan Bratislava two years ago, with the Slovakian outfit winning 6-1 on aggregate after a 5-0 victory at Tehelne Pole stadium.
Slovan Bratislava vs Celje form guide & betting tips
| Slovan Bratislava | vs | Celje |
|---|---|---|
W
W
D
W
|
Champions League Form |
W
L
D
D
|
| 13 | Goals For | 8 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 4 |
D
W
W
W
W
|
Form (All Comps) |
D
L
L
W
W
|
Whispers Predicts: Slovan Bratislava 2-1 Celje
At 3/4 (1.75), Slovan Bratislava are considered favourites by the bookmakers.
The hosts have eight wins in their last nine games, and considering their 5-0 victory in the only other encounter between these sides at this stadium, we are confident that Slovan Bratislava will emerge victorious, despite Celje's fine form.
We also fancy BTTS – Yes at 4/5 (1.80), as this was the case in seven of Celje's last nine fixtures.
Moreover, Slovan Bratislava have scored at least two goals in seven of their last eight outings, and this can be backed at
39/50 (1.78).
> Over 2.5 total goals at 5/6 (1.83) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 4/5 (1.80) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result: Slovan Bratislava at 3/4 (1.75) | Likelihood: Probable
> Slovan Bratislava & BTTS – Yes at 5/2 (3.50) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct Score: 1-1 at 7/1 (8.00) | Likelihood: Outsider