Conference League | League Stage

Dec 19, 2024 at 8pm UK

Stadion Z'dezele

Celjevs.New Saints

Match preview

Celje made history when they successfully negotiated a playoff round tie against Pyunik to reach the group stage/league phase of a major UEFA competition for the first time in their history.

However, the Slovenian champions will have their work cut out if they are to extend their European campaign beyond the end of the calendar year, having taken just four points from their five games in the league phase.

They followed up a defeat to Vitoria Guimaraes with a win over Istanbul Basaksehir, before conceding in stoppage time to lose 2-1 away to Spanish giants Real Betis.

While they were able to salvage a 3-3 draw against Jagiellonia Bialystok, Celje were unable to take anything away from Pafos last week, going down 2-0 to leave them one point outside the qualifying places with just one game to play.

Although a point could see them through, they will need to end a four-match winless run in all competitions if they are to have any realistic chance of progressing to the knockout stages.

Like their hosts, The New Saints are playing in the group stage/league phase of a UEFA competition for the first time in their history, having beaten Panevezys in the play-off round in August.

The Welsh side have struggled to adjust to life in the European main draw, losing four of their five league games, including three in a row since beating Astana 2-0 on the second matchday.

Craig Harrison's side followed that win with a 2-1 away defeat to Shamrock Rovers, before losing to Djurgarden and Panathinaikos without finding the net.

With just two points separating them from the top 24, the New Saints know they need to win in Slovenia and will be hoping for a series of results to go their way if they are to sneak into the knockout rounds of the Conference League.

However, their hopes of picking up all three points on Thursday may be dampened by the fact that they have lost three of their last five away games in all competitions.

Recent Performance

Celje Conference League form:WLWLDL

Celje form (all competitions):WWDDDL

The New Saints Conference League form:DLWLLL

The New Saints form (all competitions):WLWLLL

Team News

The Slovenian hosts will be without Armandas Kucys, Nikita Iosifov and Nejc Ajhmajer due to injury.

Midfielder Svit Seslar is likely to return to the starting line-up after coming off the bench to play over half an hour against Pafos last week.

Aljosa Matko is expected to lead the line, with the striker hoping to add to his three goals in the league.

The visitors are likely to be without the services of Ashley Barker, who was forced off in the first half against Panathinaikos last week.

Barker's absence could give Joshua Daniels a chance to start in a back three with Harrison McGahey, Josh Pask and Danny Davies.

Declan Davies is in contention for a fourth start of the campaign, with the striker looking to add to his tally of 10 goals, including one in the league phase.

Possible starting lineup

Celje possible starting lineup:

Rozman; Juanjo Nieto, Karnicnik, Zec, Nemanic; Seslar, Svetlin, Zabukovnik; Kvesic, Matko, Brnic

The New Saints possible starting lineup:

Roberts; Daniels, McGahey, Pask, Davies; Clark, Williams, Redmond; Holden, Brobbel, Williams