Celje vs Slovan Bratislava: Prediction, Team News & Lineups | 26 August 2026

Celje vs Slovan Bratislava prediction: the tie is finely balanced after a 1-1 first leg, but Celje’s home advantage and fresher preparation could help them push Slovan all the way. Our prediction is Celje 2-1 Slovan Bratislava.

Match Details

• Fixture: Celje vs Slovan Bratislava
• Competition: UEFA Champions League
• Stage: Playoff qualifying round, second leg
• Date: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
• Venue: Stadion Z’dezele
• First-leg score: Slovan Bratislava 1-1 Celje
• Prediction: Celje 2-1 Slovan Bratislava

Match Preview

Celje and Slovan Bratislava reconvene in Slovenia with the tie level after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Slovan struck first in Bratislava through debutant Roman Cerepkai, but Milot Avdyli responded with a superb curling effort to restore parity and keep Celje’s historic Champions League ambitions alive.

For the Slovenian champions, this is already their deepest run in qualifying for Europe’s top competition. They had previously fallen twice in the second round, including a heavy aggregate defeat to Slovan in 2024.

Vitor Campelos’s side have shown resilience throughout this campaign. They edged past Egnatia on penalties before overcoming Ararat-Armenia 3-2 in the third qualifying round.

Now, one victory separates Celje from becoming only the second Slovenian club after Maribor to reach the Champions League main phase.

Their domestic match was postponed to aid preparations, giving the hosts a clear week to focus on this decisive second leg.

Slovan, by contrast, were back in league action at the weekend and beat FC Kosice 2-1 to maintain a perfect domestic start of four wins from four.

The Slovak champions appointed Yaya Toure after winning the league again last term, and his side remain unbeaten in nine matches under his management, with seven wins and two draws.

Slovan eliminated Iberia Tbilisi and Mjallby to reach the playoff, but letting a first-leg lead slip means they must now produce a strong away performance in Slovenia.

Celje Team Analysis

Celje’s attack has been driven by Mario Kvesic, who has scored four times in five Champions League qualifiers and also supplied the assist for Avdyli’s equaliser in Bratislava.

Armandas Kucys should again lead the line, while Kvesic operates in support and looks to find pockets between Slovan’s midfield and defensive lines.

Celje’s ability to attack with confidence at home could be decisive, especially if they can turn the second leg into a more open contest than the first.

Avdyli also offers threat from deeper areas, while Yaya Dukuly gives Campelos an explosive option from the bench if the match opens up late.

Slovan Bratislava Team Analysis

Slovan bring greater recent Champions League experience and a strong unbeaten record under Toure.

Cerepkai is expected to lead the attack after scoring on debut in the first leg, while Tigran Barseghyan remains one of their most dangerous wide players.

Suleiman Camara has also made an immediate impact since joining earlier this month, scoring in two of the club’s last three qualifiers.

The visitors are likely to look for greater control in midfield through Ibrahim, Pokorny and Martinez, before releasing their front three quickly into transition.

Head-to-Head

The first leg finished 1-1 in Bratislava, with Cerepkai scoring for Slovan and Avdyli equalising for Celje.

These clubs also met in 2024, when Slovan won 6-1 on aggregate, but the current tie has been far more evenly balanced.

Form and Recent Context

Celje’s domestic match was postponed ahead of the second leg, allowing them extra preparation time.

Slovan maintained their perfect league record with a 2-1 win over FC Kosice and remain unbeaten in nine matches under Toure.

Both teams therefore arrive with confidence, but Celje’s freshness and home setting may provide an important edge.

Tactical Battle

Celje are expected to press higher than they did away from home, with Kvesic and Seslar looking to operate between the lines behind Kucys.

Slovan may try to slow the game through midfield possession before exploiting the pace of Barseghyan and Camara in transition.

The first goal could be decisive. If Celje score early, the atmosphere in Stadion Z’dezele could put Slovan under significant pressure. If the visitors score first, their experience and game management may become more influential.

Team News

Celje

Kvesic should retain his role behind Kucys after scoring four goals in five qualifiers and assisting the first-leg equaliser.

Veteran Benjamin Verbic may again begin on the bench, while Dukuly is likely to be used as an impact substitute.

Slovan Bratislava

Cerepkai should lead the line after scoring on debut in the first leg.

Andraz Sporar has only recently returned from injury, while Mykola Kukharevych remains a doubt with a hamstring problem.

Barseghyan and Camara are both expected to retain important attacking roles.

Predicted Lineups

Celje possible starting lineup

Celje: Leban; Sirvys, Hrka, Tutyskinias, Avdyli; Daniel, Zabukovnik; Ivansek, Seslar, Kvesic; Kucys.

Slovan Bratislava possible starting lineup

Slovan Bratislava: Takac; Blackman, Bajric, Markovic, Cruz; Ibrahim, Pokorny, Martinez; Barseghyan, Cerepkai, Camara.

Betting Tips

Full-time result: Celje to win.

Double chance: Celje or draw.

Both teams to score: Yes.

Over/Under: Over 2.5 goals.

Correct score: Celje 2-1 Slovan Bratislava.

No bookmaker odds are attached because none were supplied.

Score Prediction

Celje 2-1 Slovan Bratislava.

Slovan’s unbeaten run under Toure deserves respect, but Celje showed enough in Bratislava to suggest they can match the Slovak champions.

With the home crowd behind them, a postponed domestic fixture aiding preparation and Kvesic in strong European form, Celje may have enough to edge a tight second leg.

Hot Stat

Celje are one victory away from becoming only the second Slovenian club after Maribor to reach the Champions League main phase.

Final Analysis

This tie remains extremely close, with both teams carrying strong recent form and genuine belief.

Slovan have more experience at this stage and remain unbeaten under Toure, but Celje’s home advantage and extra preparation could tip the balance.

If the hosts can reproduce the composure they showed after falling behind in Bratislava, they have a realistic chance of making history.