Sturm Graz vs Celje Prediction - Nov 5, 2026

Sturm Graz vs Celje Prediction: Home Edge in Graz

Our Sturm Graz vs Celje Prediction points toward an entertaining home victory when the teams meet in the UEFA Europa League league phase. Kick-off at Merkur Arena in Graz is scheduled for 20:00 GMT, or 21:00 CET, on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

Sturm building momentum despite injury problems

Sturm enter Matchday 4 with confidence after two impressive performances. They beat Marseille 1-0 in their previous Europa League game, with Oumar Diakité scoring an early winner. That result followed a huge 6-1 victory over city rivals Grazer AK, where Diakité completed a hat-trick. A recent 2-2 league draw with SV Ried was less convincing, but their attacking level remains high.

Head coach Fabio Ingolitsch asks his team to play direct, high-intensity football. Sturm do not need endless possession to control a match. They press aggressively, recover the ball and look forward quickly. This approach worked against Marseille and could cause problems for a Celje side that has already suffered two clear European defeats.

However, the Austrian club has a long injury list. First-choice goalkeeper Daniil Khudyakov required surgery after being hurt in the Graz derby. Ammar Helac has taken over in goal, while free agent Adam Stejskal was signed as emergency cover. Leon Grgic, Nelson Weiper, Emran Soglo, Seedy Jatta, Filip Rózga and Otar Kiteishvili have also been reported among the absentees.

Ingolitsch has described his available group as a small circle of trust. That shortage of options is a concern, but the recent results suggest Sturm’s collective strength is helping them cope.

Celje arrive with improved belief

Celje had a difficult opening to their Europa League campaign, losing 2-0 to Bayer Leverkusen and 3-0 to Omonia. They then responded with a spirited 2-2 draw against Red Bull Salzburg on October 22. Salzburg started that game at odds of 1.587, so Celje once again showed that favourites cannot simply turn up and collect the points.