Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 13/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
Red Star Belgrade and Pafos FC are now just one tie away from reaching the Champions League group stage, and they begin their playoff battle with the first leg in Serbia on Tuesday night.
Having both come through two earlier qualifying rounds, the sides meet with everything on the line, as a place in Europe’s elite competition is the ultimate prize awaiting the winners.
Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade are aiming for back-to-back appearances in the Champions League proper after finishing 29th in last season’s inaugural league phase, where they managed victories over Young Boys and Stuttgart.
Their latest qualifying campaign began with a commanding 6-1 aggregate win against Lincoln Red Imps in round two, followed by a decisive triumph over Lech Poznan. A 3-1 first-leg win in Poland gave them the upper hand, and they sealed progression with a 1-1 home draw despite playing much of the game with 10 men.
Domestically, Vladan Milojevic’s side remain flawless, winning all four SuperLiga fixtures so far with a +14 goal difference, including a 4-1 victory over Mladost Lucani last weekend. The Serbian champions are also unbeaten in 15 competitive matches overall and boast a formidable 17-game unbeaten streak at the Marakana, making their home ground a daunting venue for any opponent.
Team News
Rotation has been a feature of Milojevic’s summer, but for the playoffs he will deploy his strongest XI. Matheus Magalhaes is expected back in goal, while Cherif Ndiaye should lead the line alongside Bruno Duarte, who has netted three times in Europe already. Veteran Aleksandar Katai scored a hat-trick on Friday but may again start on the bench.
On the downside, centre-back Rodrigao is suspended following his dismissal against Lech, and Rade Krunic is ruled out through accumulated bookings, depriving Red Star of two key figures.
Pafos FC
Unlike their seasoned opponents, who even lifted the European Cup in 1991, Pafos are newcomers to the Champions League stage, making their debut in this year’s competition. It is only their second season in Europe altogether, having made history last year by reaching the knockout rounds of the Conference League.
The Cypriot champions have already caused a stir in qualifying, first overcoming Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-1 on aggregate before dispatching Dynamo Kyiv earlier this month. Carcedo’s side won both legs without conceding, following up a 1-0 away victory with a 2-0 success at home courtesy of goals from Mislav Orsic and Joao Correia.
Although their domestic season has yet to begin, Pafos remain unbeaten in 10 matches dating back to last term, and their momentum will offset some of their lack of European pedigree.
Team News
Midfielder Domingos Quina is suspended, but coach Juan Carlos Carcedo can still call on a deep, multinational squad. Goalkeeper Neofytos Michail and left-back Kostas Pileas could be the only Cypriots in the starting lineup.
In attack, options include Jaja, Anderson Silva and Muamer Tankovic, while support may come from Orsic and former Arsenal winger Vlad Dragomir.
Conclusion
With their formidable record at the Marakana, Red Star will inevitably be tipped to establish an advantage before heading to Cyprus for the return leg.
Both clubs are stacked with attacking quality, and that suggests the tie could produce plenty of goals. The first leg in Belgrade may well set the tone, with at least three scored on Tuesday night.
Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 13/20
Bookmaker: Luckster