Celje and ŠK Slovan Bratislava played out a 1-1 draw in the Slovakian capital last week and now meet for the return fixture on Wednesday, with the winner of the tie securing a place in the UEFA Champions League and the loser dropping down to the Europa League.
Slovan Bratislava will potentially feel their failure to win at home was an opportunity missed, but they have a strong away record.
Celje now have the advantage of playing at home as they bid to reach the UEFA Champions League main draw for the first time, and avenge a 6-1 aggregate defeat to Wednesday’s opponents during qualifying in 2024-25 as Slovan went on to reach the tournament proper.
Celje v ŠK Slovan Bratislava Tips Summary
Best Bet - Both teams to score @ 8/11
Alternative Bet - ŠK Slovan Bratislava to win @ 11/5
Bet Builder - Roman Cerepkai to score anytime, Mario Kvesic 1+ shots on target & Cesar Blackman anytime assist @ 22/1
Celje v ŠK Slovan Bratislava Prediction
Best Bet: Both teams to score @ 8/11
The first leg finished 1-1 and both sides could potentially have scored more than once during that game, so backing both teams to score in the return fixture looks a good starting point.
Slovan are yet to draw a blank this season after nine games across all competitions and they have hit eight goals in total across their five UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
Celje have also scored in all nine of their games this season and they have struck nine times in five qualifiers, keeping just one clean sheet in their summer UEFA Champions League games.
Alternative Bet: ŠK Slovan Bratislava to win @ 11/5
These sides look fairly evenly matched, but as 15/8 underdogs, Slovan are worth serious consideration.
The Slovakian side have far more European experience than their hosts, as they have reached the main draw of one of the three tournaments in each of the last five seasons, whereas Celje have reached the Conference League in the last two seasons.
Slovan were the better team in the first leg as they had more chances, posting an xG of 1.66 to Celje’s 0.30.
The Slovakian champions are unbeaten this season and have a perfect away record with four wins in as many trips.
Celje have lost once in qualifying and have drawn three of their five home games, with two wins, so Slovan Bratislava have a bit more momentum behind them and they can use that to secure a league stage spot in the UEFA Champions League.
Celje v ŠK Slovan Bratislava Bet Builder Tip
Roman Cerepkai to score anytime
Mario Kvesic 1+ shots on target
Cesar Blackman anytime assist
Pays @ 22/1
Roman Cerepkai scored on his Slovan Bratislava debut in the first leg and has three goals in as many starts this season, including two goals for Kosice prior to his move.
The striker was limited to just 32 minutes in Slovan’s win over his former club at the weekend, so he should come into Wednesday’s game fresh and he looks the standout candidate to score for the visitors.
Celje midfielder Mario Kvesic has four goals in five qualifiers this summer and can at least test the keeper on Wednesday.
Slovan Bratislava fullback Cesar Blackman has four assists in just two games in the Slovakian top flight and was a threat down the right flank in the first meeting. He can provide an assist in Slovenia in the second leg.
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Key Match Stats
Slovan Bratislava have seven wins in nine games this season
Slovan Bratislava reached the UEFA Champions League main draw in 2024-25
Both teams have scored in two of the previous three meetings between these sides
Both teams have scored in five of Celje’s last seven home games stretching back into last season
Both teams have scored in three of Slovan’s last five games
Slovan have won their last nine competitive away games
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
