Sturm Graz vs Celje – News and Probable Lineups

Sturm Graz welcomes Celje for their fourth outing in the group stage of the Europa League on Thursday evening.

Given that both teams have managed just a single victory between them so far, this match could play a crucial role in determining their places in the final standings by January.

Match overview

After failing to qualify for the Champions League at the hands of Fenerbahce, Sturm Graz faced a daunting beginning to their Europa League run.

Nonetheless, obtaining four points from encounters with Rennes, Bournemouth, and Marseille has been a decent outcome as they aim for a top 24 finish.

The 1-0 win against Marseille on matchday three has positioned Fabio Ingolitsch’s squad in 19th place in the group phase rankings.

Still, they have since achieved consecutive draws in the Áustrian Bundesliga, leaving them 11 points behind leaders Rapid Vienna.

With only five victories from 11 league matches, Ingolitsch understands the necessity for a strong continental performance to secure his position as head coach.

On the other hand, Celje currently finds themselves in fifth place in the Slovene top division.

This comes despite putting together a five-match unbeaten run across all competitions since October 18.

This streak features a 2-2 draw against Sturm Graz’s domestic rivals Red Bull Salzburg, showcasing that Zoran Zeljkovic’s team possesses the quality to challenge their upcoming opponents.

Since his takeover as head coach in September, he has only experienced defeats to Bayer Leverkusen, a day after his appointment, and Omonia.

Team News

Oumar Diakite emerged from the bench to net the equalizer for Sturm Graz against Wolfsberger AC in the previous game, and he could take the place of Belmin Beganovic in the center of the attack.

Luis Balbo is also a potential inclusion in the team at left wing-back, while Albert Vallci may return in the back three.

Assuming there are no injury concerns, Zeljkovic is likely to deploy the same Celje starting XI that achieved a 4-0 victory over NK Nafta, who are currently in sixth place, on Sunday.

Mario Kvesic and Armandas Kucys both found the net twice in that encounter, with Kucys ending a 10-game goal drought in this season’s Slovene top league.

Celesi’s leading scorer is attacking midfielder Svit Seslar, who has netted seven goals this season.

Sturm Graz probable starting XI:

Helac; Malic, Quashie, Koller; Heil, Weinhandl, Gorenc Stankovic, Balbo; Matoshi, Seidl; Diakite

Celje probable starting XI:

Lebanon; Ivansek, Zuzek, Bejger, Avdyli; Calusic; Dukuly, Seslar, Kvesic, Verbic; Kucys

Despite Sturm Graz managing only one goal in their three matches within this tournament, it’s worth noting that their opponents have conceded seven. With this in consideration, the Austrian side could be expected to secure a solid win.