Leverkusen vs Celje Prediction 16 September 2026
🔊 Bayer will open their new European season with a home match against Slovenian side Celje. Leverkusen go into the Europa League opener having picked up four points from their first three Bundesliga matches, while Celje have already come through a lengthy qualifying campaign and were Slovenian champions last season. It is a good opportunity for the hosts to start their European campaign with a win, but they should not underestimate the opposition.
Head-to-Head
📊 Bayer and Celje have never met in an official match before. The upcoming game will be the first head-to-head meeting between the German and Slovenian clubs.
Head-to-head statistics Leverkusen - Celje
Bayer Leverkusen Team Overview
Bayer started the season with an unexpected defeat to Elversberg - 2-3 - before comfortably dismantling Union 4-0. In the third Bundesliga round they drew 2-2 with Augsburg, taking the lead before having to come from behind late on. Three rounds in, the club have four points and eight goals scored.
Their attacking output remains the main argument heading into the Europa League. Bayer have scored at least two goals in each of their three league matches, and their pre-season was reasonably productive in front of goal too. In the DFB-Pokal they beat Wehen Wiesbaden 4-0, and in friendlies they defeated Sevilla and Newcastle.
Leverkusen are at home, where they can take control of the ball almost from the first minute and force Celje into a deep defensive shape. It will be extremely difficult for the Slovenian club to withstand sustained pressure, especially if Bayer score early.
The main question concerns the extent of the rotation. Bayer face RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga just a few days later, so Carles Martínez's coaching staff may hand some minutes to fringe players. Even so, the squad depth should be enough for the hosts to control the game.
Match Results: Bayer Leverkusen
Celje Team Overview
Celje come into this match as the reigning Slovenian champions. Vitor Campelos' side have already gained international experience this season, coming through several rounds of Champions League qualifying - including a 3-2 aggregate win over Ararat-Armenia.
Their form heading into the trip to Germany does raise questions, though. In recent matches they lost 1-2 to Bravo and 0-1 to Koper, with a 2-0 win over Aluminij sandwiched in between. On the whole, the Slovenians are not arriving at the start of the main European stage in peak form.
The result against Koper is particularly concerning. Celje were at home and failed to score. Against Bayer they will face a considerably harder task: Leverkusen have far greater possession and individually superior players.
That said, Celje are unlikely to sit back entirely. Campelos' side are capable of transitioning from defence to attack fairly quickly and have picked up meaningful international experience through the qualifying rounds. So a single moment from a turnover or a set piece could cause Bayer problems.
Match Results: Celje
Latest news
Bayer Leverkusen
❌ The hosts have several injury absences. According to the latest information, Nathan Tella, Montrelle Culbreath and Eliesse Ben Seghir are set to miss the match. Victor Boniface and Jonas Hofmann have also not been included in Bayer's Europa League squad.
Celje
❌ In addition to the injured Jost Pišek, Andraž Kotnik will also be absent - the midfielder is suspended for this match.
🔁 Update, 16 September, 13:01 UTC:
- The biggest news surrounding Celje in the context of the Europa League is the dismissal of head coach Victor Kampeluš. Under him, the Slovenians failed to progress through Champions League qualifying and won just once in their last six matches. Kampeluš was replaced by Zoran Zeljković the day before the start of the league phase. A notable statistical fact: in his first matches with each of his last five clubs, the Both Teams to Score - No bet landed. His new side have also scored more than one goal on only one occasion.
🟨 Yellow Cards Prediction
For Celje, this will be a match where avoiding a high number of duels is almost impossible. If Bayer quickly take control, the Slovenians will frequently have to break up the hosts' attacks with tactical fouls. Bayer's main objective, meanwhile, is to control the game and prevent dangerous counter-attacks. For that reason, I expect the bulk of the bookings to fall on the visitors. Prediction: Celje Team Total - Over 1.5 yellow cards.
⚽ Goals Prediction
Bayer have a clear attacking advantage and have already scored eight goals in three Bundesliga matchdays. Celje, by contrast, lost two of their last three matches before travelling to Germany and are struggling in front of goal.
Bayer's recent results also point towards a high-scoring outcome: 3-2 against Elversberg, 4-0 against Union and 2-2 against Augsburg. Given the difference in quality and home advantage, Leverkusen should create plenty of chances. Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen Team Total - Over 2.5 at 1.55*.
🚩 Corner Kick Prediction
Bayer will take control of the game, meaning Celje will spend most of the match in a low or mid-block. This should lead to prolonged spells of home attacking, shots from positional play and a high volume of blocked passes and crosses. Bayer will regularly work the ball to the flanks and force Celje's defenders to clear it behind the byline. For that reason, I'm backing Bayer Team Total Corners - Over 6.5 at 1.80*.
*Odds are indicative and may vary across different bookmakers.
⭐ Editorial Prediction
Bayer are clearly superior to Celje in terms of individual quality and squad depth, and a home match should allow the Leverkusen side to set the tempo from the first minute. That said, their current form is not ideal: four points from three Bundesliga rounds and five goals already conceded show that the defence is not yet functioning without errors.
Celje should not be underestimated either. The Slovenians have recent experience of international matches and are capable of exploiting their opponents' mistakes, particularly if Bayer rotate heavily. Over the course of the match, though, the hosts' advantage should become too great. Main bet: Bayer to win with a handicap of -2. Predicted score: 3-0.
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Betting Tips: Bayer Leverkusen - Celje
in 8 of last 9 home games.in 25 of last 26 games.in last 13 away games.
in 17 of last 18 Bayer Leverkusen home games.in last 11 Bayer Leverkusen games.in 15 of last 16 Celje away games.in last 13 Celje games.
in 13 of last 14 Jasper Vergoote games.in 38 of last 39 games.in 17 of last 18 home games.in 12 of last 13 away games.
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