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Austrian outfit Sturm Graz welcome Slovenian champions Celje to the Stadium Graz-Liebenau on Thursday night for their fourth Europa League league-phase fixture.
The hosts secured their first continental victory of the campaign last time out with a memorable 1-0 win over Marseille, lifting them to 19th in the standings with four points.
Zoran Zeljkovic's side, meanwhile, are still searching for their first victory after collecting just one point from their opening three matches, leaving them 10 places below their upcoming opponents.
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.
Sturm Graz vs Celje key stats
- Sturm Graz have scored nine goals across their last three home matches, but have managed just one in their three Europa League outings.
- Die Schwoazn have nevertheless kept clean sheets in both of their home Europa League matches, including their 1-0 victory over Marseille.
- Celje have scored just nine goals in their last 10 matches, failing to find the net in five of those fixtures.
- The Counts have drawn each of their last three away matches, conceding just once across that run.
Sturm Graz vs Celje preview: Can the hosts build on their positive European start?
Sturm Graz vs. Celje — Tale of the Tape
| Sturm Graz Austrian Bundesliga |
vs | Celje Slovenian PrvaLiga |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | Position | 4th |
| 19 | Points | 20 |
| 19 | Goals For | 17 |
| 13 | Goals Against | 12 |
| 3 | Clean Sheets | 5 |
| 4th / 5th | Home / Away Rank | 4th / 4th |
After finishing second in the Austrian Bundesliga last season, Sturm Graz earned the opportunity to qualify for the Champions League but fell short, losing 3-0 on aggregate to Fenerbahce across their two-legged qualifying tie.
That disappointment saw them drop into the Europa League, where they have already produced encouraging results against two French sides, although they were comfortably beaten by Premier League opposition.
Fabio Ingolitsch's men began their league-phase campaign with a goalless draw against Rennes before suffering a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, but they bounced back impressively last time out by overcoming Marseille 1-0.
An early strike from Oumar Diakite proved decisive in that victory, lifting Die Schwoazn to 19th in the standings and putting them on course to secure a place in the knockout playoffs.
Their European breakthrough was followed by a disappointing cup exit against Austria Lustenau, before they were held to a 1-1 draw by bottom-placed WAC on Sunday, leaving Ingolitsch eager for a response on Thursday night.
As for the visitors, Zoran Zeljkovic's Celje make the short trip north still searching for their first Europa League victory, having lost to Bayer Leverkusen and Omonia before drawing 2-2 with fellow Austrian side RB Salzburg.
Just one point from their opening three fixtures represents a frustrating start to the league phase, with the Slovenian outfit currently sitting 29th in the standings.
Despite their struggles against European opposition, however, Zeljkovic's men are enjoying a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions, having collected positive results in both the domestic cup and the Slovenian PrvaLiga as they look to defend the title they won last season.
Celje do have a game in hand on the three sides immediately above them, but they remain eight points adrift of the league leaders.
They will therefore be keen to carry their domestic momentum onto the continental stage and get their Europa League campaign back on track.
Sturm Graz vs Celje form guide & betting tips
| Sturm Graz | vs | Celje |
|---|---|---|
WWDLD |
Form | DDWDW |
| 12 | Goals For | 9 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 3 |
DLW |
Europa League Form | LLD |
Whispers predicts: Sturm Graz 2-0 Celje
Although both sides have made similarly solid starts to their domestic campaigns, Sturm Graz have shown greater promise in the Europa League and should have enough quality to secure all three points on Thursday night, with the Betano sign-up offer giving readers the chance to back the hosts.
A home victory is currently priced at 8/15, while our predicted 2-0 scoreline is available at 15/2.
Ingolitsch's side have also kept clean sheets in both of their home Europa League fixtures, and we expect them to extend that record against a Celje team that have struggled for goals recently. Under 2.5 Goals is priced at 6/5.
Oumar Diakite has been particularly impressive domestically, scoring seven goals in six league appearances this season, and the Sturm Graz forward is priced at 6/5 to find the net at any time on Thursday.
> Sturm Graz to win at 8/15 | Likelihood: Likely
> Oumar Diakite to score anytime at 6/5 | Likelihood: Possible
> Under 2.5 goals at 11/8 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score of 2-0 at 15/2 | Likelihood: Outsider