Celje are one of just two teams yet to score in this season’s UEFA Europa League (UEL) league phase ahead of this matchday and will be targeting their first point in the competition this term when they welcome mid-table Salzburg.
Match News and Current Form
In their first-ever UEL main draw, Celje are finding the going tough, having lost 3-0 to Omonia on matchday two, a result which heaped more misery on the reigning Slovenian top-flight champions after their 2-0 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen. Things didn't get much better at the weekend in domestic action as they drew 0-0 with Maribor, meaning that they've scored just one goal in their five games across all competitions (D2, L2) during Zoran Zeljković’s fledgling reign, which is already putting the 46-year-old under pressure. The Counts are therefore in desperate need of three points, but are facing the prospect of losing four successive European matches for the first time ever.
Salzburg are more experienced at this level, having reached the semi-finals in 2017/18, but any momentum gained from their 1-0 victory over Levski Sofia on matchday one of this season’s UEL disappeared during a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of AC Milan. They did at least get back to winning ways on Sunday in domestic action though (3-0), in what was their ninth competitive victory of their last 11 to have been accompanied by a clean sheet. As well as having the opportunity to push up the table here, the trip to Celje gives the Red Bulls the chance to win three straight European away games for the first time since December 2018, so the travelling Austrian supporters will be expectant.
Head-to-Head History
Celje have never faced an Austrian side before in competitive action, and the same goes for Salzburg and Slovenian teams.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Just one of Celje’s last nine games saw both teams score.
Celje have conceded before half-time in seven of their eight European matches this season.
Just one of Salzburg’s last six European games saw both teams score.
Salzburg scored in 18 of their last 20 matches.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Milot Avdyli has scored Celje’s only goal of the Zeljković era so far - his sixth successive strike at club level to have come before half-time. Jesper Lindstrøm got a goal and an assist for Salzburg at the weekend, which is the first time that he has managed to do both those things in a single game for anyone since January 2023!
Celje don't seem to have any fresh absentees, while Salzburg’s Karim Konaté missed the game against AC Milan and is a doubt here.
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Betting Analysis
Given Celje’s UEL main draw struggles, Salzburg to win with a clean sheet is a logical selection here.
Author: Alex Bowmer
