Celje vs Egnatia Rrogozhine: Champions League second-leg preview – team news, form and prediction

Celje welcome Egnatia Rrogozhine to Arena Z’dezele on Tuesday for the second leg of their 2026-27 Champions League second qualifying round tie, with the aggregate score finely poised at 3-3 after an entertaining first leg in Albania. The winner will advance to the third qualifying round, one step away from the group stage, while the loser drops into the Europa League qualifying path.

The first leg in Rrogozhine saw both sides trade goals in a back-and-forth contest. Celje took the lead twice through their attacking duo, but Egnatia replied each time, with substitute Ibrahim Diabate scoring a 78th-minute equaliser to secure a draw. The result leaves the tie wide open, with the Slovenian champions now holding home advantage.

Recent Form

Celje, the 2025-26 Slovenian PrvaLiga winners, have started their new domestic campaign with a 2-2 draw against Mura, a match in which they twice came from behind. The Counts are unbeaten in their last four matches across all competitions, including friendlies, but they have conceded in each of those games. Defensive vulnerability was a factor in their 6-1 aggregate defeat to Slovan Bratislava at this stage two years ago, and manager Vitor Campelos will be keen to tighten up at the back.

Egnatia Rrogozhine finished third in Albania’s Kategoria Superiore last season, collecting 57 points from 36 matches – six behind champions Vllaznia. They began their Champions League campaign in the first qualifying round, drawing 1-1 away at Petrocub before thrashing the Moldovan side 6-1 at home. The Albanian outfit are also unbeaten in four matches, including a friendly against Botosani, but have kept only one clean sheet in that run.

Team News

Celje striker Kucys, who was sent off late in the draw against Mura, is available for European competition and is expected to partner Seslar in attack. Campelos is unlikely to make many changes from the side that earned a 3-3 draw in the first leg.

Egnatia’s Diabate made a strong case for a starting berth after scoring the equaliser off the bench, but Karim Loukili is still expected to retain his place in the forward line. Defender Albano Aleksi returns from suspension after his red card against Petrocub, though coach Nevil Dede may keep faith with the backline that performed in the first leg.

Key facts

Prediction and Outlook

The first meeting demonstrated the attacking quality and defensive frailties of both teams. Celje have the advantage of playing at home, where they were strong last season, while Egnatia have shown resilience in away European ties, holding Petrocub to a draw before the heavy home win. Another open contest is expected, with both sides likely to score.

Celje’s experience in European competition and the support of their home crowd could prove decisive. A narrow win for the Slovenian champions, perhaps 3-2 or 2-1, would see them progress to the third qualifying round. However, Egnatia have the firepower to respond if they fall behind, so the tie remains finely balanced.

For fans and analysts, the key factors will be whether Celje can tighten their defence without losing their attacking fluency, and whether Egnatia can maintain their scoring form on the road. The match kicks off on Tuesday 27 July 2026 at Arena Z’dezele.

Source: Sports Mole Football RSS – Celje vs Egnatia Rrogozhine – prediction, team news, lineups. Retrieved from https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/celje/preview/celje-vs-egnatia-rrogozhine-prediction-team-news-lineups_601894.html