APOEL Nicosia receives Celje at the GSP Stadium for the crucial second-round conflict of the knockout playoff stage to battle for Conference League last-16 qualification.
APOEL managed to secure a 2-2 draw at home in Slovenia during the first match which set up a crucial second leg competition at their home ground in Cyprus.
This season has brought frustration to APOEL so far because they currently occupy fifth place in the Cypriot First Division despite winning the championship in the previous season.
APOEL Nicosia found temporary leadership during early 2024-2025 with both David Gallego and Jose Dominguez before securing a coaching professional in Manolo Jimenez in October 2024.
The first 25 games Jimenez managed APOELFootball Club saw him win 12 matches and tie eight matches as well as lose only five times during his tenure leading up to reaching Conference League knockout stage.
APOEL clinched eleventh position in the season despite missing out on eighth place to Cercle Brugge by one point which meant they entered the Conference League knockout playoff matches.
The Cypriot team faced Celje in the draw and secured a 2-2 draw during the first leg while keeping their undefeated record against European opposition in foreign stadiums.
In the upcoming second match APOEL intends to leverage their home territory however their league home records during Europe have shown irregular results that include one win against a draw followed by a defeat.
The Slovenian PrvaLiga campaign in 2024-25 has been unimpressive for Celje given their previous championship success as they now occupy position number five.
Celje chose to rehire former manager Albert Riera despite winning the title under Damir Krznar's leadership, but that move hasn't worked out yet.
Despite finishing 21st in the league phase standings with seven points, Riera has managed to guide Celje to the knockout stages of a European tournament for the first time in their history.
Celje's outstanding home record—two victories and one draw from their three league phase games—is responsible for their advancement. They continued to hold this record with the 2-2 draw in the first leg against APOEL.
However, they have lost all three of their away league phase games, making them one of the weakest away teams in the tournament. If they want to move to the round of 16 with a victory on Thursday, they will need to improve their travels.
Expected to start on Thursday, Youssef El Arabi, who leads APOEL in scoring with 10 goals in 18 games, will be trying to record his first goal in the Conference League this year.
Ivan Alejo may start on the left flank in place of Anastasios Donis, who is also unlikely to play after being substituted out in the first leg due to injury.
