Slovan Bratislava host Celje at Tehelné pole in the first leg of their Champions League play-off, with both clubs now one round away from reaching the league phase.

Slovan Have Turned Tehelné Pole Into a Major Advantage

Slovan enter the play-off after beating Mjällby 4-1 on aggregate, including a 2-0 home victory in which they allowed only six shots and two on target. Yaya Touré’s side then thrashed Ružomberok 5-0, extending a run in which they have won six of their last seven competitive matches.

Suleiman Camara has scored in both Champions League matches against Mjällby. The hosts have only one potential absentee ahead of the fixture. Nino Marcelli is questionable.

Slovan Bratislava predicted lineup vs Celje (4-3-3): Takáč; Blackman, Marković, Bajrić, Cruz; Mustafić, Pokorný, Ibrahim; Camara, Kianga, Barseghyan.

Celje’s Attack Makes Them Dangerous Despite the H2H Record

Celje arrive with three wins from their last five competitive matches, scoring eight goals and conceding four, including Saturday’s 1-3 victory at Nafta. They also overturned a 2-1 first-leg defeat against Ararat-Armenia by winning the return 2-0, with Yaya Dukuly and Benjamin Verbič scoring late.

Svit Šešlar remains their highest-valued player at €2.2 million, while Armandas Kučys gives them a direct threat through the middle. However, Celje lost 5-0 on their previous visit to Slovan in 2024, leaving them winless in two H2Hs.

Celje predicted lineup vs Slovan Bratislava (4-3-3): Leban; Širvys, Tutyškinas, Hrka, Koutris; Zabukovnik, Šešlar, Kvesić; Dukuly, Kučys, Verbič.

Slovan Bratislava vs Celje Prediction

Safe Tip: Slovan Bratislava or Draw
Odds: 1.22 (22Bet)
Correct score prediction: Slovan Bratislava 2-1 Celje
22Bet Booking Code: EUZRS

Key stats:

  • Slovan have won six of their last seven competitive matches.
  • They eliminated Mjällby 4-1 on aggregate after winning both legs.
  • Slovan are unbeaten in two previous meetings with Celje, scoring six goals.

Slovan or Draw is the logical pick. Touré’s team have won both Champions League home matches this season, and their latest European performance restricted Mjällby to two shots on target in a 2-0 victory. Their 5-0 league win over Ružomberok four days later reinforces the home side’s momentum.

The H2H also supports the double chance: Slovan drew 1-1 away to Celje in 2024 before destroying them 5-0 at Tehelné pole. Given their performance at home, expect the hosts to claim a narrow victory.

Slovan Bratislava vs Celje Prediction, Value Tip

Value Tip: Both Teams to Score - Yes
Odds: 1.72 (22Bet)
22Bet Booking Code: HH9RS

BTTS at 1.72 carries an implied probability of approximately 58%, but Celje’s European numbers make that price attractive. They have scored 12 goals and conceded eight across four Champions League qualifiers this season, while their win at Nafta means they arrive in Bratislava having scored five times in their latest two matches.

Slovan have the firepower to contribute after scoring nine goals across their last three competitive home matches. Celje have already shown they can recover when a European tie turns against them. An exchange of goals looks likely.

Verdict: Slovan Bratislava or Draw (1.22) - Slovan Bratislava 2-1 Celje.