FC Lugano vs NK Celje Prediction & Betting Tips - Conference League

Prediction published on 05/08/2025, 14:30  by Thobelani Moyo in Conference League Predictions

FC Lugano play host to Celje at the Stockhorn Arena in the first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League third qualifying round. Lugano have made it to the main draw of the UEFA Europa Conference League just once, and this was in 2024. Can they do it again, this time, through the preliminary rounds? Here's our match prediction.

FC Lugano have experienced a dreadful start to the 2025-26 Swiss Super League season. Two consecutive defeats currently see them anchored at the bottom of the table.

In their most recent, they were thrashed 4-0 on the road by newly-promoted Sion.

The Black and White was recently playing in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers. However, a 1-0 aggregate defeat at the hands of CFR Cluj in the second qualifying round saw them being demoted to Europe's third-tier competition, where they aim to redeem themselves.

In contrast, Celje are at the top of the Slovenian PrvaLiga table after winning all of their first three games.

Just like their opponents, they too were demoted to the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers. They were playing in the UEFA Europa League, but their journey was short-lived, losing 3-2 on aggregate.

The Counts were pitted against Cypriot club AEK Larnaca FC in the second qualifying round. In the first leg, they played to a 1-1 draw at home and ultimately lost 2-1 away from home in the return leg.