Celje vs Maribor - 1. SNL

A fascinating 1. SNL chapter awaits on August 1, 2026 when Celje take on Maribor at the home ground — two sides with plenty to play for and everything to prove. Manchester United play in Gothenburg on Saturday as they take on Paris-Saint Germain in their fourth pre-season fixture.

Both Celje and Maribor will be eager to build momentum when they meet in 1. SNL. Consistency has eluded Celje in recent weeks, with DLLDW in their last five and a win rate of 33.33% that tells of an up-and-down campaign. The visitors have been a steady presence on the road, DDLLL in their last five and a campaign win rate of 50%. The contrast in attacking output — 1.22 versus 1.9 goals per game — adds an extra layer of intrigue. Central midfield remains a position Leeds are keen to add in despite so far failing to reach an agreement with Southampton for Shea Charles.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Celje may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Maribor have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. In attack, Brazilian forward Kaua Elias has emerged as a name of interest, with United scouts watching the Shakhtar Donetsk striker after his hat‑trick against Kudrivka on Monday.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. The one thing I've noticed about Tottenham over the last few years is they never had a dominant midfielder.

The fixture has the feel of a coin-flip, and picking a winner with any conviction would require a braver pundit than most. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 2-2 draw feels like a fitting result. More than just three points is on the line at the home ground — this is a fixture that could shape the narrative of both clubs' seasons. Joe Gomez is expected to miss the start of Liverpool's Premier League campaign through injury - but it is not likely to impact the Reds' transfer plans.