Celje vs Omonia Nicosia: Europa League Preview, Team News and Prediction

NK Celje welcome Omonia Nicosia to Stadion Z'dežele, looking to collect their first points of the Europa League league phase. Omonia are chasing back-to-back wins and arrive in good form. The bookmakers see it as close to a coin flip. Follow Celje vs Omonia Nicosia live on Score808 for the score, lineups and stats.

Celje vs Omonia Nicosia: Kick-Off Time and Venue

• Competition: UEFA Europa League 2026/27, league phase, Matchday 2
• Date: Thursday, 15 October 2026
• Kick-off: 19:45 Kenya time (EAT), 18:45 CEST, 17:45 BST, 16:45 UTC
• Venue: Stadion Z'dežele (Arena Z'dežele), Celje, Slovenia

Where Both Teams Stand

Celje lost 2-0 at Bayer Leverkusen on Matchday 1 and sit near the bottom of the 36-team table with no points. Omonia beat Celta Vigo 1-0 and have three points in 14th. In the league phase, the top eight go straight to the round of 16, and teams ranked 9th to 24th enter the knockout playoff. A first Europa League league-phase win would be a historic moment for Celje, while Omonia need another win to stay in contention for the playoff places.

Celje: Form and Team News

Celje are a well-organised side who have struggled to create chances against elite opposition. Their last five finished matches in the Score808 records:

• Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Celje (16 Sep, Europa League)
• Celje 1-2 Slovan Bratislava (26 Aug, Champions League qualifying)
• Slovan Bratislava 1-1 Celje (19 Aug, Champions League qualifying)
• Celje 2-0 Ararat-Armenia (11 Aug, Champions League qualifying)
• Ararat-Armenia 2-1 Celje (4 Aug, Champions League qualifying)

They have since won at home in the league. Zoran Zeljković's side beat Aluminij 1-0 in the league, which has left them fifth in Slovenia's top flight with 15 points from 10 matches. Milot Avdyli scored the winner after only 10 minutes. The attack remains a concern. Celje managed only five shots in the defeat at Leverkusen, the second-lowest total of any team on Matchday 1. At home they have a decent record. Celje won three of their five Conference League matches at Stadion Z'dežele last season.

On team news, Celje will be without Jost Pišek through injury but are otherwise in strong shape. Sešlar was Celje's most influential player on Matchday 1, winning five fouls and regaining possession nine times.

Omonia Nicosia: Form and Team News

Henning Berg's side are unbeaten in five. Their last five results:

• Karmiotissa 0-3 Omonia Nicosia (9 Oct, Cypriot First Division)
• Omonia Nicosia 4-1 Krasava Ypsonas (20 Sep, Cypriot First Division)
• Omonia Nicosia 1-0 Celta Vigo (16 Sep, Europa League)
• Omonia Nicosia 0-0 Apollon Limassol (12 Sep, Cypriot First Division)
• Aris Limassol 1-4 Omonia Nicosia (7 Sep, Cypriot First Division)

That is four wins and one draw. Omonia sit third in the Cypriot league after five games. There is history on the line. Omonia have the chance to win their opening two matches of a major European campaign for the first time since the 1985-86 season, although their away form in Europa League qualifying was less convincing.

Ioannis Kousoulos, Carel Eiting and Fotis Kitsos are out through injury.

Predicted XI: Fabiano; Duverne, Satka, Coulibaly, Balkovec; Maric, Andreou; Montnor, Costa, Tankovic; Diony.

Head-to-Head Record

I could not find a recent competitive meeting between the clubs, so this article makes no head-to-head claim. Both teams have recent European experience, but form and home advantage are the best guides.

Key Players to Watch

• Sešlar (Celje): the midfield engine who led the team's duels on Matchday 1.
• Milot Avdyli (Celje): scored the winner against Aluminij and is a goal threat.
• Lubomir Šatka (Omonia): the defensive leader and a danger at set pieces.
• Diony (Omonia): the attacking focal point in Berg's side.
• Omonia's midfield: Celje will need discipline against a side carrying several threats from midfield.

Celje vs Omonia Nicosia Prediction

Previews expect a tight game:

• Sports Mole predicts Celje 1-1 Omonia.
• Sportskeeda also predicts a 1-1 draw.
• Tips.gg leans towards Omonia by a single goal.
• The Stats Zone backs Celje to win or draw.
• One simulation gives Celje 39.2%, a draw 27.7% and Omonia 33.1%.

Our view: The teams are evenly matched. Celje have home advantage but little attack, while Omonia are in form but less convincing away. A 1-1 draw looks most likely, with a narrow Omonia win as the main alternative. This is a forecast, not a guarantee.

How to Follow Celje vs Omonia Nicosia Live

Open the Celje vs Omonia Nicosia match page on Score808 for live updates, lineups and stats. You can also visit the UEFA Europa League hub for tonight's other fixtures, and see team pages for Celje and Omonia Nicosia. To catch up on recent form, see Bayer Leverkusen vs Celje, Omonia Nicosia vs Celta Vigo and Karmiotissa vs Omonia Nicosia. For more Cypriot football, read our Cyprus vs Armenia preview. Also tonight, read our previews of Lyon vs Crystal Palace and AZ Alkmaar vs Hapoel Be'er Sheva. Check your local broadcaster for the TV channel.

FAQ

What time is Celje vs Omonia Nicosia in Kenya?
Kick-off is 19:45 EAT on Thursday 15 October 2026, which is 16:45 UTC.

Where is the match being played?
At Stadion Z'dežele in Celje, Slovenia.

How did both teams start in the Europa League?
Celje lost 2-0 at Bayer Leverkusen. Omonia beat Celta Vigo 1-0.

Who is injured for Omonia?
Ioannis Kousoulos, Carel Eiting and Fotis Kitsos. Check the confirmed lineup before kick-off.

Who manages each team?
Zoran Zeljković at Celje and Henning Berg at Omonia.

Who is favourite to win?
There is no clear favourite. Most previews expect a draw or a narrow result.