O. Ljubljana vs Cercle Brugge KSV prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-11 17:45.
[p]There are few sides across Europe in better form than Olimpija Ljubljana, who find themselves at the top of the Slovenian PrvaLiga after 18 matches (W11, D6, L1) and in the top eight of the UEFA Conference League (W3, L1). Across those two tournaments, the hosts have lost just two games in total, and they will take to the field for this next European fixture having won each of their last three Conference League matches. [/p]
[p]What’s even more impressive is that Olimpija secured clean sheets in all three of those victories, and as such their goal difference of +4 ahead of this Conference League round was one of the strongest in the competition. Next up, they face Belgian opposition for just the third time in competitive fashion, but as they lost both of their encounters with Anderlecht during the 1999-2000 UEFA Cup, they may be wary of welcoming Cercle Brugge to town here.[/p]
[p]Perhaps mercifully for the hosts, the away side arrive in the Slovenian capital on the back of some torrid recent form, drawing 0-0 over the weekend with Union Saint-Gilloise to make it just one victory in seven competitive outings (D2, L4). It’s been a similar story on the road too of late for Cercle Brugge, with a return of six defeats across their last eight such matches painting a dreary picture ahead of this fixture (W1, D1).[/p]
[p]That downturn in recent results has also bled a little into their Conference League campaign, as since they started with a 6-2 win over St Gallen, the Belgian outfit have won just one of their last three league phase fixtures (D1, L1). The victory came in their most recent outing (2-0 at home to Hearts), which sent them into this matchday in 11th spot and still with a point to prove.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Each of Ivan Durdov’s six goalscoring appearances for Olimpija this season ended in victory, though his only prior personal H2H finished in defeat. Cercle Brugge captain Thibo Somers has scored just three goals from midfield this campaign, but each were recorded before half-time with one coming during qualification for this competition. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Olimpija received exactly two yellow cards in three of their four Conference League matches this season. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Nathan Evans[/i][/p]