Our prediction for this Europa Conference League match:
Maribor
Match Time & Date:
31 July 2025
19:00
Prediction: 2-0
Paks
Maribor will be aiming to overcome a one-goal deficit in the Conference League tie with Paks when the two teams take on each other at Ljudski Vrt on Thursday. Maribor are a real force to be reckoned with at home, but they will have to prove their worth on the field. Orphe Mbina is a major doubt after limping off with injury in a 2-1 win over Domzale, with Benjamin Tetteh likely to step up.
The Hungarians, on the other hand, did well to win the first leg, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry in Thursday’s clash. As Ljudski Vrt will be packed this time out, we are tempted to place our bets on Maribor, who are a very experienced side in Europe. There are no fresh injury concerns in the away team ahead of the trip to Slovenia.
Highlighted Team (Maribor):
Founded in December 1960, Maribor are the most successful Slovenian club. The Violets won their 14th SNL trophy in 2017, with the team finishing the season 13 points clear of second-placed Gorica. Maribor are the only Slovenian club which made it to the UEFA Champions League group stages (2013/2014), but the likes of Chelsea, Schalke and Sporting Lisbon proved to be a big catch for the Slovenian champions.
The Violets collected only three points from possible 18 in the process and four years later they repeated the success, with the team eliminating Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the Champions League play-offs. Maribor will face the likes of Spartak Moscow, Sevilla and Liverpool in Group E. Speaking of the club’s main rivals, there have always been fireworks in clashes between Maribor and Olimpija Ljubljana.
The two teams face each other in the “Eternal derby” (Vecni derbi) and they represent the two biggest cities in Slovenia. Maribor are well known for their violet for their violet shirts with yellow stripes. Ljudski vrt is the club’s home ground.
Schalke
Hertha
Mechelen
Club Brugge
Luton 
AFC Wimbledon
Cardiff 
Peterborough
Bradford 
Wycombe
Burton
Mansfield
