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SK Sturm Graz - NK Celje ai prediction 05.11.2026 Europa League
Preview for match Sturm Graz vs NK Celje
Sturm Graz and NK Celje meet in the Europa League league phase on Thursday, 5 November 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 at Stadion Graz-Liebenau. The Austrian hosts will be looking to build on their latest European victory, while the Slovenian visitors arrive hoping to turn a difficult start to the campaign into a result that can revive their prospects. Giorgi Kruashvili has been appointed referee for a fixture that brings together two sides who know one another from domestic competition, but have yet to meet in the Europa League.
The league-phase standings underline the importance of the evening. Sturm have collected four points from three matches and sit 19th in the 36-team table. The top eight qualify directly for the round of 16, while teams finishing between ninth and 24th advance to a play-off round. That leaves Sturm in a position where another positive result could strengthen their challenge for progression. Celje, meanwhile, have one point and occupy 29th place. Their need for points is more pressing, although they will have to improve on a record of two defeats and a draw if they are to climb the standings.
Recent form offers both encouragement and caution. Sturm have won twice, drawn twice and lost once across their last five matches in all competitions. Celje are unbeaten in that same period, with two wins and three draws, and their latest 4-0 league victory should provide confidence. The visitors will therefore not arrive without momentum, even if their European results have been less convincing. Sturm’s home advantage and their 1-0 win over Olympique Marseille in their most recent Europa League outing give the hosts a strong platform, but Celje’s recent resilience could make this a competitive encounter.
Our betting tip for Sturm Graz vs NK Celje
Our betting prediction is a home win for Sturm Graz. The hosts have the stronger Europa League record so far, sit eight places above Celje in the table and will be encouraged by their recent victory over Marseille. Celje’s unbeaten run across their last five matches is a reason to respect their threat, but their European defensive record—seven goals conceded in three games—tilts the balance towards Sturm. Our second tip is Both teams to score: Yes. Celje have scored twice in the league phase and arrive after a four-goal performance, while Sturm’s home attack should create opportunities of its own.
Our tips
AI prediction for Sturm Graz vs NK Celje
The AI prediction favours a Sturm Graz win, with the hosts’ four-point start and recent European success providing a statistical edge. Celje’s three-match unbeaten run in all competitions suggests they can still pose a threat, particularly after scoring four in their latest match. However, their two defeats and seven goals conceded in the Europa League make a home victory the more likely 1X2 outcome. The AI tip is 1, with a possible scoreline of 2-1.
Sturm Graz seek to strengthen their European position
Sturm Graz have made a mixed but useful start to the league phase, taking four points from three matches through one win, one draw and one defeat. Their goal record stands at 1:3, so the margin for error has been narrow, but their latest European result was an important 1-0 home win against Olympique Marseille. That success offers a timely reminder of what they can achieve at Stadion Graz-Liebenau, where the support and familiarity of home surroundings may help them impose their game.
Fabio Ingolitsch will want his side to combine that home confidence with greater efficiency in front of goal. Across their last five matches in all competitions, Sturm have recorded two wins, two draws and one defeat. Their most recent outing ended in a 1-1 away draw against Wolfsberger AC, a result that maintained a steady run without delivering a decisive boost. With 19th place currently putting them inside the play-off positions, another three points would be valuable. A disciplined performance and sharper finishing could allow Sturm to take advantage of Celje’s defensive vulnerabilities.
NK Celje aim to carry domestic momentum into Europe
NK Celje have had a more difficult European campaign, earning one point from three matches and sitting 29th in the 36-team standings. They have yet to win, drawing once and losing twice, while their goal difference of 2:7 highlights the defensive challenge they must address. Their latest Europa League match brought a 2-2 home draw against Red Bull Salzburg, evidence that Celje can compete and score against strong opposition, but they will need greater consistency if they are to improve their position.
Zoran Zeljkovič’s team can take encouragement from their recent form across all competitions. Celje are unbeaten in their last five, with two wins and three draws, and their most recent match was a commanding 4-0 home victory over NK Nafta. Away from home, the challenge will be to reproduce that attacking confidence while remaining more compact than their European numbers suggest. They have the quality to trouble Sturm, but a positive result is likely to depend on whether they can limit the hosts’ opportunities and make their own chances count.
Last direct match
The most recent meeting between these clubs, across all competitions, ended in a 3-0 home victory for Sturm Graz. That result gives the Austrian side a positive reference point ahead of this fixture, although it should not be treated as a guarantee of a similar outcome. There is no available record of a previous Europa League meeting between Sturm and Celje, so Thursday’s match will be a fresh European test between them.
Head-to-head last direct meetings
The teams have met once in the recorded head-to-head history. Sturm Graz have one win, while there has been no draw and NK Celje have yet to record a victory. The sample is limited, but the 3-0 result gives Sturm the advantage in the available record.
Performance in the last five matches
Sturm Graz have collected two wins and two draws in their last five matches, alongside one defeat. That sequence points to a relatively stable side, though the recent 1-1 draw with Wolfsberger AC shows that they have not always been able to turn competitive displays into victories.
Celje are unbeaten over the same span, with two wins and three draws. Their form is encouraging, particularly after their emphatic latest result, and they have shown an ability to find the net. The contrast is clear: Sturm have the stronger European results, while Celje bring the better unbeaten run in all competitions.
Performance
Sturm Graz performance of the last 5 home matches
NK Celje performance of the last 5 away matches
Last match results for Sturm Graz and NK Celje
Sturm Graz’s latest match finished 1-1 away to Wolfsberger AC. The draw extended a generally solid run, but the hosts will be eager to make their home advantage count after sharing the points in that fixture.
NK Celje’s most recent outing was a 4-0 home win over NK Nafta. It was an impressive attacking display and should boost the visitors’ confidence before travelling to Graz. In their latest Europa League matches, Sturm beat Olympique Marseille 1-0 at home, while Celje drew 2-2 at home with Red Bull Salzburg.
Best odds and betting outlook
The listed best odds are 1.58 for a Sturm Graz win with Betwinner, 4.56 for the draw with Betwinner and 5.75 for a Celje victory with Gbets. For both teams to score, the Yes option is priced at 1.67 with Gbets, while No is available at 2.25 with Bet9ja. Odds can change, so check the latest prices and terms before placing a wager.
Based on the available figures, the home win is the preferred selection. Sturm’s higher league-phase position, their European victory over Marseille and their previous 3-0 win over Celje all support the hosts. The visitors’ recent unbeaten run makes them capable of contributing to an open contest, which is why both teams to score is a reasonable secondary option. Compare prices across betting sites and find the best betting sites in Africa through a bookmaker comparison, while betting responsibly and within your limits.
Conclusion
Sturm Graz enter this Europa League fixture as favourites, supported by home advantage, a superior position in the league-phase table and a more convincing European record. Celje’s recent form is strong, and their attacking display against NK Nafta suggests they should not be underestimated. Nevertheless, the visitors’ seven goals conceded in three Europa League matches remain a concern against a Sturm side that has already shown it can produce a decisive home performance in Europe. The most likely outcome is a Sturm Graz victory, with both teams finding the net a plausible addition to the main selection.
Here are the best betting tips for tomorrow: review the upcoming fixtures, compare odds carefully and consider each match on its own merits before making a decision.
Current Standing
| POS | TEAM | PTS | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
Olympiakos Piraeus
|
10 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
|
2
|
Sport Lisboa e Benfica
|
9 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 8 |
|
3
|
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
|
9 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
|
4
|
AFC Bournemouth
|
9 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 7 |
|
5
|
Ferencvárosi TC
|
9 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 6 |
|
6
|
Union Saint-Gilloise
|
7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 7 |
|
7
|
Juventus FC
|
7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 6 |
|
8
|
Beşiktaş
|
7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 5 | 4 |
|
9
|
Sunderland AFC
|
7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
|
10
|
AZ Alkmaar
|
6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 4 |
|
11
|
Omonia Nikosia
|
6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 |
|
12
|
Stade Rennais
|
6 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
|
13
|
Olympique Lyon
|
6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 |
|
14
|
Real Sociedad San Sebastian
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 5 |
|
15
|
Crystal Palace
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 |
|
16
|
Sparta Prag
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
|
17
|
Levski Sofia
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
|
18
|
Dinamo Zagreb
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 |
|
19
|
SK Sturm Graz
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
|
20
|
NEC Nijmegen
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 8 | -3 |
|
21
|
Red Bull Salzburg FC
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -3 |
|
22
|
RSC Anderlecht
|
3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
|
23
|
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
|
3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
|
24
|
AC Milan
|
3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 |
|
25
|
OFI Heraklion
|
3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 |
|
26
|
RC Celta de Vigo
|
3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 |
|
27
|
Jagiellonia Białystok
|
3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -2 |
|
28
|
União Torreense
|
3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 |
|
29
|
NK Celje
|
1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | -5 |
|
30
|
Hapoel Be'er Sheva
|
1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -5 |
|
31
|
Lillestrøm SK
|
1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 9 | -7 |
|
32
|
Lech Poznań
|
1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | -8 |
|
33
|
Viktoria Pilsen
|
0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -5 |
|
34
|
Olympique Marseille
|
0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | -5 |
|
35
|
Celtic Glasgow
|
0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 | -6 |
|
36
|
FC Ararat-Armenia
|
0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 11 | -9 |
This tip is written with the help of AI