Crvena Zvezda vs Pafos Prediction 19.08.2025
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Crvena Zvezda vs Pafos Prediction
Crvena Zvezda vs Pafos Prediction and Betting Tips for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff round, set for Tuesday at the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade. Both clubs stand just two games away from a spot in Europe’s biggest stage, and here at XpertStats, we’ll also guide you through the latest Champions League Predictions from our experts.
- Crvena Zvezda are unbeaten in their last 17 home matches across all competitions.
- Pafos are making their Champions League debut after eliminating Dynamo Kyiv.
- Red Star have scored 16 goals in just four league games this season.
- The tie will be the first-ever meeting between the Serbian and Cypriot sides.
Crvena Zvezda, or Red Star Belgrade as many still call them, arrive in this playoff with history on their side. Vladan Milojevic’s men already brushed past Lincoln Red Imps and Lech Poznan, proving both firepower and resilience. They won 3-1 away in Poland despite hostile surroundings, then calmly finished the job in Belgrade even after going down to ten men. Add their perfect domestic start: four wins out of four with 16 goals scored and it’s hard to argue against their momentum. The Marakana remains a fortress, with 17 straight home games unbeaten. Can anyone really walk in and silence that crowd?
Pafos, though, are writing their own fairytale. A club with barely any European history now finds itself one tie away from the Champions League group stage. After knocking out Maccabi Tel Aviv, they stunned Dynamo Kyiv by winning both legs without conceding. That’s no small feat, even if Kyiv aren’t the force they once were. Confidence runs high in Juan Carlos Carcedo’s squad, and with talents like Mislav Orsic and Joao Correia in attack, they can certainly hurt opponents. The question is: do they have the experience to survive a night in Belgrade?
Team selection could play a big role here. Red Star will miss suspended defender Rodrigao and midfielder Rade Krunic due to bookings, but Cherif Ndiaye looks set to lead the line alongside Bruno Duarte, who has three goals in qualifiers already. For Pafos, Domingos Quina sits out through suspension, but Carcedo has a deep, multinational squad. Expect a blend of attacking flair from Orsic and Dragomir with defensive grit from Goldar and Luckassen. Still, the lack of Cypriot league action this season might leave them slightly short of rhythm.
On paper, Red Star carry the edge with their firepower, pedigree, and intimidating home record. Yet Pafos are unbeaten in ten matches and thrive on being underestimated. It feels like a classic contest between a seasoned heavyweight and an ambitious newcomer. That said, history suggests Belgrade’s fortress will hold once again. For now, the smarter money leans towards Red Star, but if Pafos can weather the storm on Tuesday, the second leg in Cyprus could get very interesting. Keep an eye on our Champions League Predictions as the story unfolds.
Crvena Zvezda enter this tie with everything in their favor: form, history, and atmosphere. The Serbian champions have already proven their European strength by eliminating Lech Poznan with a decisive 3-1 away win, followed by a controlled draw at home despite going a man down. At the Rajko Mitic Stadium, their record is staggering: unbeaten in 17 straight games, with opponents routinely overwhelmed by both the pressure and the noise of the Marakana crowd. Offensively, they’ve been lethal, scoring 16 goals in their first four league matches, averaging four per game. Bruno Duarte and Cherif Ndiaye provide a balanced attacking threat, while the midfield consistently creates chances. Pafos are resilient, yes, but their lack of Champions League pedigree makes this a completely different challenge. Eliminating Dynamo Kyiv was impressive, but Belgrade is another beast entirely. The expectation is clear: Red Star should secure a first-leg victory.
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