Celje vs Shelbourne: will Celje keep their place in the play-offs?
On Thursday, 18 December, we will see a final-round fixture of the UEFA Conference League, as Celje host Shelbourne at home. Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 CET, and I am offering a betting pick for this match.
Celje vs Shelbourne: match facts and head-to-head
- Celje have won just one of their previous five matches.
- Shelbourne are winless in four consecutive games: three defeats and one draw.
- Celje are unbeaten at home in ten straight matches: three draws and seven wins.
- Celje have conceded at least one goal in five consecutive matches.
- Shelbourne have failed to score in four matches in a row.
- Celje have won 34% of their matches this season with a clean sheet, compared to 15% for Shelbourne.
- Only 6% of Celje’s matches this season have ended in a scoreless defeat.
- In 47% of their matches this season, Celje have scored in both halves.
- Celje and Shelbourne have never faced each other before.
Celje vs Shelbourne: match preview
The Slovenian side Celje are currently positioned in the play-off zone. After five matches, they have collected nine points and sit 12th in the table. They trail eighth place by just one point, meaning that with a win, and if results elsewhere go their way, Celje could secure a direct place in the round of 16 of the UEFA Conference League. Their advantage over 25th place is three points, so even a draw could be enough for the Slovenians to remain inside the top 24.
Shelbourne have already lost any chance of progressing to the play-offs. After five matches, the team have picked up just one point and currently occupy 34th place in the standings. Their domestic league campaign has already concluded, with Shelbourne finishing third. They have lost their last three matches, all of which came in the Conference League, where they were beaten in every game and failed to score a single goal, with an aggregate score of 0–6.
Probable line-ups
- Celje: Leban, Juanjo Nieto, Vukliševič, Tutyškinas, Bejger, Daniel, Kvesić, Iosifov, Vidović, Šturm, Kovačević
- Shelbourne: Speel, Mbeng, Barrett, Ledwidge, McInroy, Coyle, Henry-Francis, Wood, Caffrey, Martin, Boyd
Prediction
For Shelbourne, everything is already decided in this Conference League campaign, with this match bringing their season to an end. Celje, meanwhile, will clearly be pushing for victory in a bid to challenge for a top-eight finish, and I am offering a bet on Celje’s individual total over 2 goals.
