APOEL vs Celje Predictions

APOEL, under the guidance of Manolo Jiménez, head into this match with confidence after securing a 2-2 draw in Slovenia on February 13. Alen Kucys scored twice for Celje (2’, 59’ pen.), but David Abagna (33’) and Konstantinos Laifis (70’) responded for APOEL, despite a late red card to Lasha Dvali reducing them to ten men. Domestically, APOEL sit fifth in the Cypriot First Division with 35 points from 20 matches, bolstered by a 2-1 win over AEL Limassol on February 16, where Anastasios Donis and Younes El-Arabi found the net. In the Europa Conference League, they finished 11th in the league phase with 11 points from 6 matches (3W, 2D, 1L), remaining unbeaten on the road (2W, 1D). At home, however, their European record this season is less convincing—winning just one of three league-phase matches at the GSP (1-0 vs. Noah), alongside a draw (1-1 vs. Shamrock Rovers) and a loss (0-1 vs. Fiorentina).

Celje, managed by Albert Riera, arrive in Cyprus with momentum after their spirited first-leg performance. The Slovenian champions, fifth in the PrvaLiga with 31 points from 22 matches, suffered a 2-1 defeat to Maribor on February 16 but showed resilience in Europe by qualifying for the knockout rounds for the first time in club history. They finished 21st in the league phase with 7 points (2W, 1D, 3L), relying heavily on their unbeaten home form (2W, 1D). Away from home, however, Celje have been dismal, losing all three league-phase road games (to Vitória, Real Betis, and Pafos) and conceding nine goals while scoring just one. Their only prior trip to Cyprus resulted in a 2-0 loss to Pafos in December, underscoring their struggles on foreign soil.

The first leg marked the inaugural meeting between these sides, ending 2-2 after a high-octane battle featuring a penalty, a red card, and four goals. APOEL will miss Lasha Dvali due to suspension, while Celje have no reported absences, though their defensive frailties away from home (13 goals conceded in the league phase, joint-highest among playoff teams) could prove costly. With APOEL’s home crowd behind them and Celje’s poor away record, the Cypriots hold the edge, but Celje’s attacking threat—led by Kucys (9 goals this season)—could keep this tie alive.

Our APOEL vs Celje Prediction

Our todays prediction for APOEL vs Celje, Europa Conference League is:

TIP 1: Match Winner - APOEL to Win

TIP 2: Corner - APOEL to Win