NK Celje vs Slovan Bratislava prediction: Slovakian champions can finish the job
Tom Clark
Slovan Bratislava are unbeaten in nine matches this season, winning seven and drawing two
Celje have scored in all eight of their matches this season, with both teams scoring in six
Recommended bet: Slovan Bratislava to qualify @ 21/20
NK Celje and Slovan Bratislava meet in the second leg of their Champions League play-off tie on Wednesday, with the sides level after a 1-1 draw in Slovakia last week.
Celje have already shown plenty of resilience in this season's competition, recovering from a 2-1 first-leg defeat to Ararat-Armenia to win the return match 2-0 and progress.
They have also been difficult to beat domestically, recording two wins and two draws in their opening four league matches, but Slovan Bratislava arrive with an even stronger record.
The Slovakian champions are unbeaten in all nine matches this season, winning all four of their league fixtures and scoring 14 goals while conceding just once.
Yaya Toure's side were also in action at the weekend, beating Kosice 2-1, but only Tigran Barseghyan and Andrej Markovic started both that match and the first leg, leaving Toure with a relatively fresh squad for the return fixture.
The latest NK Celje vs Slovan Bratislava odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Celje have no fresh injury concerns and are expected to name a strong side as they look to reach the Champions League play-off round.
Andrej Kotnik impressed from the bench in midfield last week, while Benjamin Verbic also caught the eye in attack and both are pushing for starting places ahead of Papa Daniel and Matic Ivansek.
Verbic appears the more likely of the two to break into the starting XI after his lively substitute appearance.
Slovan Bratislava could also make changes after their weekend victory over Kosice, despite Toure rotating his squad effectively.
Japanese midfielder Daiki Matsuoka impressed on Saturday and could come into midfield, while Rahim Ibrahim is pushing for a start after a confident goalscoring display.
Attacking full-back Cesar Blackman, who already has four assists this season, is also expected to return, while the majority of the side that started the first leg should keep their places.
The latest NK Celje vs Slovan Bratislava odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The Stats
Celje have scored in all eight of their matches this season.
Both teams have scored in six of Celje's eight matches this season.
Four of Celje's eight matches have featured over 2.5 goals.
Slovan Bratislava have won seven and drawn two of their nine matches this season.
Slovan have scored in all nine matches this season and have netted at least twice in seven.
Toure's side have kept five clean sheets, while five of their nine matches have featured over 2.5 goals.
The latest NK Celje vs Slovan Bratislava odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Slovan Bratislava to qualify looks the standout bet after the Slovakian champions maintained their unbeaten start to the season in Saturday's victory over Kosice.
The visitors have been particularly impressive going forward, scoring 14 goals in their first four league matches, while they have now scored in all nine games this season.
Celje should not be underestimated after producing a strong home performance against Ararat-Armenia in the previous round, while their record of scoring in every match this season suggests they can again trouble Slovan.
However, the visitors have greater Champions League experience and their squad rotation at the weekend means they should be physically ready for another demanding contest.
Only Barseghyan and Markovic started both matches, while Matsuoka, Ibrahim and Blackman are among the players pushing to come back into the side.
Celje had the weekend off to focus fully on this tie, but Slovan's depth could prove decisive and the visitors look capable of edging another closely fought encounter.
Score prediction: NK Celje 1-2 Slovan Bratislava
Back Slovan Bratislava to qualify @ 21/20 with LiveScore Bet
The latest NK Celje vs Slovan Bratislava odds are available on LiveScore Bet
