SK Sturm Graz vs NK Celje Lineups, Prediction, Betting Picks & Odds

SK Sturm Graz vs NK Celje Game Preview

Sturm Graz host NK Celje at Stadion Graz-Liebenau on Thursday, and our SK Sturm Graz vs NK Celje prediction leans firmly toward the home side in this Europa League matchup.

Sturm sit 19th, and home is where they do their best work in Europe, winning seven of their last 11 continental home games. A long injury list is the lone real worry.

Celje sit 29th and are still chasing a first Europa League win. They do arrive unbeaten in five competitive games, but their defense has been leaky in Europe.

Thursday marks the clubs' first competitive European meeting. A Sturm win would also hand them back-to-back major European victories for the first time since February 2024.

SK Sturm Graz vs NK Celje Recent Results

Sturm beat Marseille for their first European win of the campaign, then went three competitive games without a win, most recently a tie with Wolfsberger that leaves them well off the domestic pace. Home remains their safe harbor, with only one loss in nine competitive games there this season. Oumar Diakité carries the load as their lone Europa League goalscorer.

Celje arrive unbeaten in five competitive games. The latest was a 4-0 domestic rout over the weekend, though they remain off the pace in their league. Europe has been tougher, with a tie against Salzburg finally delivering a first Europa League point. Armandas Kučys scored that night and Svit Sešlar set up the opener.

SK Sturm Graz vs NK Celje Lineups & Team News

Injuries & Suspensions

SK Sturm Graz: Emran Soglo (Injured/out), Gizo Mamageishvili (Injured/out), Otar Kiteishvili (Injured/out), Nelson Weiper (Injured/out), Seedy Jatta (Injured/out), Filip Rózga (Injured/out), Daniil Khudyakov (Injured/out)

NK Celje: Jošt Pišek (Injured/out)

SK Sturm Graz

Fabio Ingolitsch is without seven injured players, yet the probable XI looks settled. Luca Weinhandl and Jürgen Heil are set for midfield roles, while Oumar Diakité leads the attack after scoring a late equalizer against Wolfsberger.

NK Celje

Zoran Zeljković has few selection worries, with Jošt Pišek the only confirmed injury absentee. Svit Sešlar, who has scored Celje's first goal in five of his six scoring appearances this season, is set to support Armandas Kučys up top in the probable XI.

SK Sturm Graz vs NK Celje Predicted Lineup

SK Sturm Graz

Formation: 3-4-2-1 (probable)

Predicted Starting Lineup: Ammar Helać, Paul-Friedrich Koller, Joshua Quarshie, Arjan Malić, Luís Balbo, Jon Gorenc Stanković, Luca Weinhandl, Jürgen Heil, Simon Seidl, Valmir Matoshi, Oumar Diakité

NK Celje

Formation: 4-1-4-1 (probable)

Predicted Starting Lineup: Zan-Luk Leban, Milot Avdyli, Łukasz Bejger, Žan Žužek, Matic Ivansek, Papa Daniel, Benjamin Verbič, Mario Kvesić, Svit Sešlar, Yaya Dukuly, Armandas Kučys

SK Sturm Graz vs NK Celje Key Stats & Game Facts

• There have been 27+ shots taken in 3 of Sturm Graz's last 3 games (Europa League).
• Sturm Graz have received 2+ cards in 3 of their last 3 games (Europa League).

SK Sturm Graz vs NK Celje Prediction & Best Picks

Our Prediction

Our prediction is a Sturm Graz win, but not a clean sheet. The betting odds on this matchup have the hosts at -182 (Polymarket), a fair price for a favorite this comfortable at home. Celje have conceded at least twice in ten of their last 13 European games, so Diakité should get his looks. At the other end, Sturm's back three has been leaky of late, and Kučys and Sešlar have enough to nick one.

Best Picks

Luca Weinhandl Over 2.5 in the Player Shots market. The Sturm Graz midfielder is expected to start in a home side the model rates as favorite. Our first selection comes from the Player Shots market. Weinhandl has started most of Sturm's recent outings in central midfield, and our numbers put his implied probability near 43%. The price implies only about 26%, and that gap is too big to ignore.

Jürgen Heil to be shown a card in the To Be Shown A Card market. Sturm Graz have collected nine Europa League yellow cards, a total exceeded by only two teams. Next up is a card prop on the Sturm midfielder. Heil is penciled in on the right of Sturm's midfield, and our numbers rate it near 34%. The price implies just 20%, though there is one caveat: he has not been a regular starter, so check the lineup before kickoff.

SK Sturm Graz vs NK Celje Same Game Parlay

Our SK Sturm Graz vs NK Celje same game parlay picks combine Sturm on the moneyline, Diakité to score, both teams scoring and a Pijus Širvys card.

Sturm Graz on the Moneyline anchors the parlay. They have lost once in nine competitive home games this season. Celje, meanwhile, have won just one of their last six away from home.

Oumar Diakité in the Anytime Goalscorer market is the attacking leg. He is Sturm's only Europa League scorer this season, and his four goals before the Wolfsberger game all came at home.

Both Teams To Score: Yes at -130 (Polymarket) fits this game. Sturm have conceded ten goals in their last six competitive games, and Celje bring enough bite in Kučys and Sešlar.

Pijus Širvys to be carded rounds it off. Sturm's haul of Europa League yellow cards points to a feisty, messy night with plenty for the referee to do.

Make sure to get the best odds on your Same Game Parlay with Oddschecker's Exclusive Same Game Parlay Comparison Tool.

Same Game Parlay odds correct at time of publishing.

SK Sturm Graz vs NK Celje Talking Points

Team selection frames the big question. Fabio Ingolitsch, in charge since January, is down seven injured players, while Zoran Zeljković, at the helm only since mid-September, has a near-full squad to pick from. Watch the first half too. Celje have yet to score before halftime in the Europa League, so an early Sturm goal would leave the visitors with a lot to do.

SK Sturm Graz vs NK Celje Predictions FAQs

When is the SK Sturm Graz vs NK Celje Europa League game?

The game kicks off at 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

Where is SK Sturm Graz vs NK Celje being played?

The game is being played at Stadion Graz-Liebenau in Graz.

Who is in the probable lineup for SK Sturm Graz?

The probable lineup in a 3-4-2-1 formation is Ammar Helać, Paul-Friedrich Koller, Joshua Quarshie, Arjan Malić, Luís Balbo, Jon Gorenc Stanković, Luca Weinhandl, Jürgen Heil, Simon Seidl, Valmir Matoshi and Oumar Diakité.

Which competition and season is the SK Sturm Graz vs NK Celje game part of?

The game is part of the Europa League in the 2026/2027 season.

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