NK Celje vs NK Maribor Prediction: Goals are expected from both teams

Celje and Maribor are going to square off in a match that will take place in Stadion Z'dežele in Celje on Saturday March 9th 2024 at 19:30 (GMT+3), and it will be a struggle that is felt well beyond its boundaries. With a pre-match points per game of 2.45 compared to Maribor's 1.00, Celje is entering this game on a high note and represents a significant momentum differential that should not be disregarded.

Looking more closely, goal expectation (xG) highlights Celje's attacking strength at home, with an average xG of 1.87 against Maribor's worse 1.59 xG away from home. Celje's lower xG against (1.14) at home, which hints at a fairly strong defensive record, further emphasizes the likely situation where Celje's assault might prove too much for Maribor's defence.

This game promises to be very cagey, hence a precautional approach should be taken to avoid a straight win or loss for either side. 

Celje has participated in 24 games in this Prva Liga season, with 17 victories, 3 defeats, and 4 ties. Celje, which has won 71% of its matches and lost 13%, is positioned steadily in the centre of the Prva Liga standings. With an average of 2.2 goals scored and 0.8 goals allowed per game. This indicates stability.

The club has scored 53 goals so far this season, with the second half seeing the most efficiency with 60% of the goals scored. Celje scores 2.3 goals on average when playing at home; on the road, they score 2.1 goals. The defence is still playing well for the club, giving up a total of eighteen goals. The club faced its worst defensive problems in the second half, giving up 72% of the goals scored.

Celje gives up 0.7 goals on average when playing at home. This amount rises to 0.8 goals per game when playing away.

Maribor has participated in 23 games in this Prva Liga season, with 11 victories, 6 defeats, and 6 ties. Maribor, with 48% of games won and 26% of losses, is in a balanced position in the centre of the Prva Liga competition table. The team's season total of 2.9 points demonstrates their stability as they score 1.8 goals on average per game and give up 1 goal.

The club has scored 42 goals so far this season, with the first half seeing the most efficiency with 57% of the goals scored. Maribor scores 2.3 goals per game on average when they play at home. On the road, they score 1.4 goals. The defence continues to play solidly for the club, giving up 24 goals in total. The club has its biggest defensive obstacles in the first half, giving up 54% of the goals scored.

Maribor gives up 0.8 goals per game on average when they play at home, but 1.4 goals per game when they play away.

In their previous 17 road games, Maribor has drawn eight of them. Two of the last six times they've played Celje has drawn two of their last four games. Celje's last game against O. Ljubljana ended in a 1-1 draw while Maribor's last away game ended in a 0-0 draw with Rogaska.

Maribor should be able to score against this Celje team, but it may not be enough to avoid losing. The expected score for this game is 2-1 win for Celje or 2-2 draw.