Egnatia vs NK Celje prediction 22.07.2026 | Champions League
Egnatia Rrogozhinë
Kick off:
Date:
Celje
1
3.65
X
3.35
2
2.00
Contents
- Competition: Champions League
- Date: 22nd July 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 UK / 21:00 CEST
- Venue: Stadiumi "Arena Egnatia"
Wednesday brings a historic first-ever meeting in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers as KF Egnatia Rrogozhinë welcomes NK Celje for their second qualifying round first-leg clash. Fresh off a commanding 6-1 victory over CS Petrocub, Egnatia aims to use home advantage to establish an early lead. However, Slovenian champions Celje arrive with significant continental confidence after a deep UEFA Conference League knockout run last season. Let’s explore the technical setups, expected starting lineups, and top betting markets for this highly anticipated European encounter.
KF Egnatia and NK Celje face off for the first time ever in European competition. With no head-to-head history, both teams step onto the pitch with everything wide open. Neither side knows exactly what to expect, dialing up the tension for this crucial Champions League qualifier.
Egnatia team overview
KF Egnatia Rrogozhinë enter this matchup on the back of a historic and dominant continental performance.
The Black and Greens are riding high after destroying CS Petrocub 6-1 in their previous leg to seal an emphatic 7-2 aggregate win.
Edlir Tetova’s men look to protect their formidable home form, carrying a brilliant three-match winning streak at Arena Egnatia where they have outscored opponents 12-3.
Central to this aggressive frontline is dangerous winger Alessandro Albanese, who found the back of the net during that historical 6-1 blowout.
Crucially, the Albanian champions boast a completely clean bill of health, meaning they have no noticeable absentees or major injury concerns heading into this high-stakes fixture.
Last matches of Egnatia Rrogozhinë
-
Egnatia Rrogozhinë
6 : 1
Petrocub
Champions League
-
Petrocub
1 : 1
Egnatia Rrogozhinë
Champions League
-
Egnatia Rrogozhinë
2 : 0
Dinamo City
Superliga
-
Vllaznia Shkodër
1 : 2
Egnatia Rrogozhinë
Superliga
-
AF Elbasani
0 : 4
Egnatia Rrogozhinë
Superliga
Egnatia Rrogozhinë lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Ilir Dabyrgji
Defenders
-
2
Abdurraman Fangaj
-
46
Enea Bitri
-
4
Renato Malota
-
17
Arbin Zejnullai
Midfielders
-
6
Albano Aleksi
-
8
Regi Lushkja
-
22
Samuel Olayinka
Forwards
-
7
Soumaila Bakayoko
-
9
Bekim Balaj
-
11
Alessandro Albanese
NK Celje team overview
NK Celje prepares for this highly anticipated fixture on the back of a balanced domestic opener. The Counts showcased both their fighting spirit and tactical flaws during a thrilling 2-2 draw against NŠ Mura to kick off their league season.
Vítor Campelos’s men have displayed excellent resilience on their travels, boasting a formidable five-match winning away streak across all official competitive competitions.
Central to this dangerous traveling frontline is talismanic Slovenian midfielder Svit Sešlar, who enters the tie in blistering form after netting a brilliant brace in his last outing.
Boasting a fully fit, complete roster without European disciplinary issues, the visitors travel to Albania ready for a fierce continental battle.
Last matches of Celje
-
Celje
2 : 2
Mura
1. SNL
-
Celje
4 : 3
MTK Budapest
Club Friendlies 3
-
Celje
1 : 1
Cukaricki
Club Friendlies 3
-
Celje
0 : 1
Hajduk Split
Club Friendlies 3
-
Primorje
0 : 4
Celje
1. SNL
Celje lineup
Goalkeeper
-
22
Matjaž Rozman
Defenders
-
2
Juanjo Nieto
-
6
David Zec
-
3
Damjan Vuklišević
-
25
Žan Karničnik
Midfielders
-
4
Matic Vrbanec
-
10
Tamar Svetlin
-
7
Aljoša Matko
Forwards
-
19
Svit Sešlar
-
11
Luka Menalo
-
9
Armandas Kučys
Prediction
Considering the explosive attacking form of both teams, a high-scoring 2-2 draw offers tremendous value for this first-leg encounter. KF Egnatia Rrogozhinë has transformed Arena Egnatia into a goal-scoring paradise, making it highly unlikely that the hosts will draw a blank in front of their passionate home support. However, NK Celje possesses a lethal counter-attacking setup on the road and has consistently proven capable of unlocking stubborn European defenses. With both backlines showing vulnerability in their recent domestic and continental outings, an entertaining, end-to-end stalemate is firmly on the cards.
Three reasons we expect over 2.5 goals in this tie
- Egnatia have scored 2+ goals in eight of their last nine encounters.
- Celje scored scored 2 or more goals in seven of their last eight competitive games.
- Six of the last nine away games of NK Celje in Europe produced over 2.5 goals.
Main prediction Egnatia Rrogozhinë - Celje
Over 2.5 goals
Best Odds:
Megapari
2.05
