Celje vs Drita – News and Probable Lineups

Celje is poised to secure their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Conference League playoff as they welcome Drita for the second leg at Stadion Z’dežele on Thursday.

The Slovenian side came out on top with a 3–2 victory in a thrilling first leg in Kosovo last week, positioning themselves strongly to advance from this stage for the second consecutive year.

Match overview

Last season, Celje reached the quarter-finals of the Conference League following their inaugural appearance in the competition’s main phase, and they took a significant step towards another last-16 position after the dramatic finish in last week’s encounter with Drita.

After letting a two-goal lead slip, Ivan Mayewski’s squad must have been left disappointed with only moments remaining, but substitute Matej Poplatnik found the net in stoppage time to secure a hard-earned victory for the Slovenian visitors in Gjilan.

This win ended a winless streak for Celje in the competition after three games without a victory (D1, L2) at the conclusion of the league phase, resulting in the loss of automatic qualification by two points. It marked their third win in five matches in 2026 (D1, L1).

With merely avoiding defeat sufficient for progression to the last 16, Celje approaches the match brimming with confidence, notably having lost just two of their last 19 home fixtures in European competitions (W10, D7).

The Counts remain unbeaten in their last 13 matches on home ground across all competitions, and they will aim to capitalize on their home advantage on Thursday, especially with nine of those matches yielding victories, including their last two matches where they scored a total of eight goals while conceding only two.

The most recent game in front of their fans ended in a 5–1 demolition of Mura on February 14, a result that left them nine points clear at the top of the Slovenian top-flight standings. After being given a weekend off in domestic play, the Yellow and Blues come into this continental fixture fully rejuvenated.

Drita, having played more recently than the hosts, responded to the first-leg loss with a 2–0 win against KF Llapi over the weekend, a result that propelled Zekirija Ramadani’s team to the top of the Kosovo Superliga, where they now lead by two points.

This victory means the Intellectuals have alternated between wins and losses across their last five matches (W3, L2), managing to secure back-to-back wins only once in nearly three months.

During this stretch, Drita contested 14 matches, achieving just six victories, while three of their five defeats during this period have occurred in their last three Conference League matches, where they conceded exactly three goals each time, including the first leg of this matchup.

As the Intellectuals attempt to overcome their deficit in Slovenia, their record of just one win from their last three away games in the Conference League (D1, L1) provides limited optimism, especially following a 3–0 loss at Rayo Vallecano in their latest such fixture.

However, Drita has won both of their last two away matches in domestic competitions, so they should not be underestimated, and regardless of Thursday’s outcome, the Kosovo team can take pride in what has been a commendable campaign in their first appearance at the main stage of a continental tournament.

Team News

Celje faced no apparent issues during the first leg, so a similar lineup could be anticipated here, although Poplatnik must be considered for a starting role following his late winner, even as Milot Avdyli and Armandas Kucys — two of the front three in that match — also contributed on the scoresheet.

The hosts will be without 25-year-old Mark Zabukovnik, who has been out of action since suffering a knee injury in the qualifying rounds of the Conference League in August.

Defender Zan Karnicnik has also been absent since late November and will not participate in this fixture, while midfielder Papa Daniel is a doubt, having last played on matchday five of the league phase in December.

For Drita, defender Juan Mesa remains unavailable, as he is still recovering from a ligament injury and has yet to make an appearance this season, while Ilir Mustafa is also sidelined due to a similar concern.

Midfielder Rron Broja has been out since getting injured against Shkendija in November, and Arb Manaj is dealing with an abductor issue.

On a positive note, Blerton Sheji returns to the squad for international play, having missed the first leg due to suspension from accumulated yellow cards.

Celje probable starting XI:

Lebanon; Nieto, Calusic, Bejger, Tutyskinas; Kvesic, Hrka, Seslar; Iosifov, Kucys, Avdyli

Drita probable starting XI:

Maloku; Besnik Krasniqi, Bejtulai, Pellumbi, Ovouka; Limaj, Dabiqaj; Ajzeraj, Nguena, Tusha; Blerim Krasniqi

Celje was arguably the superior team in the first leg last week, so their win was justified, and they are expected to maintain that dominance once again on Thursday, especially with the advantage of additional rest.

While Drita might find some confidence in their weekend win, their defensive frailties in European contests could prove detrimental, which is why the hosts are favored to secure the win and clinch advancement to the last 16.