Slovan Bratislava vs Celje - Live Stream

View the live stream and TV coverage details and live score for the 2026/2027 UEFA Champions League play-off Match - Slovan Bratislava vs Celje.

Slovan Bratislava welcome Slovenian champions Celje to Tehelné pole on Wednesday, August 19, for the opening leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie. Yaya Touré’s unbeaten Slovan have won their last four matches, eliminated Mjällby 4-1 on aggregate and warmed up with a 5-0 domestic victory over Ružomberok, while Celje reached the play-offs after surviving a penalty shootout against Egnatia and overturning a first-leg deficit to eliminate Ararat-Armenia 3-2 on aggregate. The Slovak champions also hold an encouraging recent record against the visitors, having beaten Celje 6-1 across two legs in the 2024–25 qualifiers, although Albert Riera’s side return with greater experience and the chance to reach the Champions League proper for the first time. Kick-off in Bratislava is scheduled for 9:00pm local time/CET and 3:00pm US Eastern Time.

How to Watch Slovan Bratislava vs Celje - UEFA Champions League play-off Match

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Slovan began their European campaign with a 3-1 aggregate victory over Georgian champions Iberia 1999. They then defeated Swedish champions Mjällby in both legs of the third qualifying round, winning 2-1 away and 2-0 at home to advance 4-1 on aggregate.

Touré’s team are unbeaten through their opening seven competitive matches of the season and have won four in succession. Slovan also rotated several regular starters before Saturday’s 5-0 league victory against Ružomberok, allowing key players to rest ahead of the play-off.

Celje needed penalties to eliminate Egnatia after their second-round tie finished level. The Slovenian champions then lost 2-1 away to Ararat-Armenia but recovered in the return fixture, with late goals from Yaya Dukuly and Benjamin Verbič carrying them through 3-2 on aggregate.

The clubs previously met in the 2024–25 Champions League second qualifying round. The first leg in Slovenia ended 1-1 before Slovan recorded a commanding 5-0 home victory.

Team news

Slovan Bratislava

Yaya Touré’s main selection uncertainty concerns his centre-forward. Andraž Šporar has been dealing with an injury and remains doubtful, but Mykola Kukharevych has reportedly suffered a hamstring problem of his own. Šporar could therefore be brought back into the side if he passes a late fitness test.

Tigran Barseghyan is fit and available. The Armenian international scored the final goal when Slovan defeated Celje 5-0 two years ago and should start on the right of the attack.

Rahim Ibrahim, Peter Pokorný and Daiki Matsuoka are expected to return after Touré rotated his team at the weekend. Dominik Takáč should replace Aleksandar Popović in goal, while César Blackman and Sandro Cruz are likely to return at full-back.

Predicted Slovan Bratislava lineup (4-3-3): Takáč; Blackman, Bajrić, Wimmer, Cruz; Ibrahim, Pokorný, Matsuoka; Maroš, Šporar, Barseghyan.

If Šporar is not cleared, Kukharevych could start if sufficiently recovered; otherwise Alasana Yirajang or Adam Griger may be used centrally.

Celje

Polish centre-back Łukasz Bejger is expected to miss the first leg with a shin injury, while Jost Pišek remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a long-term ligament problem. Celje otherwise travel with the core of their regular European squad.

Mario Kvesić has been the visitors’ most productive player in qualifying, scoring four goals in as many Champions League appearances. He should operate behind Armandas Kučys, with former Slovenia international Benjamin Verbič providing experience from the left.

Yaya Dukuly is also pushing for inclusion after scoring the late goal that helped Celje eliminate Ararat-Armenia. However, Clément Daniel is expected to retain his position on the right.

Predicted Celje lineup (4-2-3-1): Leban; Sirvys, Hrka, Tutyskinas, Koutris; Šešlar, Zabukovnik; Daniel, Kvesić, Verbič; Kučys.