Celje vs Drita Prediction & Betting Tips (26 February)

Celje’s trip to face Drita in the UEFA Europa Conference League knockout play-offs comes with the Slovenians holding a narrow advantage after that dramatic first leg in Pristina, where they edged a thrilling contest by a 2-3 scoreline at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium. Armandas Kucys and Milot Avdyli put Celje two up before the break, only for Blerim Krasniqi and Liridon Balaj to drag Drita level, until Matej Poplatnik’s stoppage‑time header settled it. The return meeting in Celje now feels finely poised: Drita know they must chase the game, while Celje will try to balance control with the attacking verve that has carried them this far in Europe.

Recent domestic form adds another layer to this tie. Just days before the first leg, Drita ground out a 1-0 league win over KF Drenica, a result that underlined their ability to stay patient and protect a slim lead when required. Celje, meanwhile, showcased their attacking power with a resounding 5-1 victory against NS Mura in the Slovenian league, a match where they repeatedly sliced through the opposition back line. Those contrasting but equally positive results suggest we are looking at two sides arriving in Europe with confidence: Drita leaning on resilience and work rate, Celje on fluid combinations and clinical finishing.

Team news from the past weeks has also shaped expectations. Drita have had to cope without Ilir Mustafa, sidelined by a ligament tear, and forward Arb Manaj, who is recovering from an adductor injury, limiting their options in the final third and forcing more responsibility onto Krasniqi and Balaj. Celje are not at full strength either, with defender Mark Zabukovnik nursing a knee problem and versatile Zan Karnicnik out with a shoulder injury, which has tested their depth in the back line. Even so, the visitors’ structure has held up well, and their ability to manage pressure away from home—evident again in that first-leg win—will be central to how this decisive clash unfolds.

All of this feeds into a second leg where Celje’s blend of form, confidence and tactical balance makes them look slightly better equipped to control the tempo and exploit spaces as Drita push forward. With the Kosovars needing to overturn the deficit, their back line could be exposed to Celje’s quick transitions and late surges into the box, just as happened in stoppage time of the first meeting, reflected in that dramatic 2-3 finale. Taking into account the recent performances, injury situations and the psychological edge from the away win, we are leaning towards Celje completing the job at home with a commanding 3 : 0 correct score in this Conference League showd