KF Egnatia vs NK Celje Predictions
Albanian champions Egnatia host Slovenian title winners NK Celje in Wednesday's Champions League second qualifying-round first leg.
Egnatia have looked sharp in their early-season fixtures, while NK Celje have a stronger record in Europe.
With a competitive tie expected, I have my stake on BTTS, while I also fancy a narrow away win at Arena Egnatia.
Goals on the Cards in Albania
- Egnatia scored 1+ goals in their last 10 matches
- Egnatia have seen BTTS in 5 of their last 6 matches
- NK Celje have seen BTTS in their last 3 matches
- NK Celje scored 1+ goals in 15 of their last 16 matches
- NK Celje won 5 of their last 7 away matches (European competitions)
Egnatia and Celje Set For First Competitive Contest
Wednesday's Champions League qualifier will be the first competitive meeting between KF Egnatia and NK Celje.
Egnatia Full of Confidence
KF Egnatia return to Champions League qualification after a 6-1 demolition of Petrocub last week.
The Albanian champions were held to a 1-1 first-leg draw in Moldova before a stunning second-leg performance secured their place in Wednesday’s second-round tie.
Brazilian playmaker Fernando Medeiros turned in a superb display, registering two assists as six different goal scorers helped the Albanians to an easy second-leg success.
A strong end to their domestic campaign helped secure a third successive Albanian title for KF. Dede’s men won their last three games of the season, eventually finishing ahead of AF Elbasani on goal difference.
Egnatia had endured a miserable run before their strong finish to last season, losing six and winning just one of eight fixtures.
Nevil Dede's side struggled to keep clean sheets in 2026. Egnatia conceded at least one goal in 13 of their last 16 games played since May.
NK Celje Eye Another European Run
Slovenian champions NK Celje make the trip to Albania after kicking off their season with a 2-2 draw against Mura in the PrvaLiga.
Reduced to ten men just two minutes into the second half following the dismissal of Leonardo Koutris, Vítor Campelos’s side twice fought back to claim a point at Arena Z’dezele.
Since claiming only a third-ever Slovenian title in May, NK had a solid pre-season campaign, winning two and losing just one of four pre-season friendlies.
The Slovenians finished last season in superb form, recording victories in nine of their last 11 competitive fixtures.
NK have also enjoyed strong performances in European competitions in recent years. Celje reached the quarter-finals and round of sixteen in the Conference League in the past two seasons.
Highlight reel victories included a 5-0 road win at Lugano and a 2-0 win in Athens against AEK.
Egnatia vs NK Celje Team News
Egnatia: (5-3-2) Mario Dajsinani; Guillem Jaime, Eljon Sota, Eneo Bitri, Arbenit Xhemajli, Andrey Yago; Altin Kryeziu, Fernando Medeiros, Karim Loukili; Alessandro Albanese, Soumaila Bakayoko.
Nevil Dede is likely to retain confidence in the same XI that began last week’s demolition of Petrocub. Alessandro Albanese and Soumaila Bakayoko will lead the Albanian’s attack after both scored last time out.
NK Celje: (4-3-3) Zan-Luk Leban; Matic Ivansek, Damjan Vuklisevic, Ivan Calusic, Papa Daniel; Svit Seslar, Yaya Dukuly, Mario Kvesic; Milot Avdyli, Armandas Kucys, Veton Tusha.
Head coach Campelos could make a couple of changes to his selection on Wednesday. Papa Daniel and Yaya Dukuly are tipped to earn recalls after 45-minute substitute appearances last weekend.
Leonardo Koutris is available despite seeing red against Mura.