Prediction: FK Crvena Zvezda vs Hapoel Beer Sheva

Prediction: FK Crvena Zvezda vs Hapoel Beer Sheva

FK Crvena Zvezda and Hapoel Beer Sheva will meet at Stadion Rajko Mitić on Tuesday evening, as the two sides continue their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie.

Hapoel travels to Belgrade with a 1-0 aggregate lead after winning the first leg in Hungary.

Verdict: FK Crvena Zvezda to win
Best odds: 31/100
Bookmaker: 1xBet

FK Crvena Zvezda

Crvena Zvezda is under pressure, but the tie is far from gone. They lost 1-0 in the first leg, which was a poor result, but not a disaster.

The main issue is that Zvezda did not use the match well enough. They had enough of the ball, they played with an extra man for more than half an hour, and still could not find the goal. That has to change in Belgrade.

Now the match setup is simple. Zvezda needs to attack, but they do not need to panic from the first minute. One goal brings the tie level, and two goals probably put them in control unless Hapoel finds something on the break.

Rajko Mitić should make a big difference. This is a completely different environment from the first leg in Hungary, where Hapoel was the home team on paper but not in the usual sense. In Belgrade, Zvezda has the crowd, the pitch and the pressure on their side.

The danger is Hapoel’s counter. If Zvezda attacks too openly, Hapoel has players who can run into space and make the tie much more difficult. Zvezda has to press better, move the ball faster and avoid giving the visitors cheap transitions.

FK Crvena Zvezda Team News

Adem Avdić remains unavailable because of his long-term knee injury.

Dejan Stanković has several attacking decisions to make after the first-leg defeat. Zvezda needs more movement around the box, so changes in the final third are possible.

Aleksandar Katai scored against Novi Pazar at the weekend and should be involved again. His experience matters in this kind of match because Zvezda needs players who can stay calm around the penalty area.

Mirko Ivanić, Bruno Duarte, Marko Arnautović and Loizos Loizou are also options in attack. Zvezda should have enough quality to create chances, but the final ball and finishing have to be much better than in the first leg.

Hapoel Beer Sheva

Hapoel is in a strong position because they already have the lead. They do not need to win in Belgrade, and they do not even need to score if they can defend well enough.

That will shape their whole approach. Hapoel can sit deeper, slow the game down and force Zvezda to take more risks. The longer the match stays 0-0, the more pressure moves onto the Serbian side.

The first leg showed that Hapoel is a difficult opponent. They play on the edge, they compete physically and they do not mind making the match uncomfortable. That is exactly what they will try to do again.

The problem is that this is a much harder away match. Hapoel will not have the same control of the match rhythm, and defending for 90 minutes in Belgrade is a dangerous plan. If Zvezda scores early, Hapoel will have to change completely.

Matan Baltaxa’s suspension is also important. Hapoel needs defensive discipline, and losing a defender after his first-leg red card is not ideal before this kind of second leg.

Hapoel Beer Sheva Team News

Matan Baltaxa is suspended after being sent off in the first leg.

Dan Biton and Joao Victor are also expected to miss out, which leaves Hapoel without two useful options.

Zahi Ahmed should be important again after scoring the winner in the first leg. Hapoel will need his pace and decision-making when they break forward.

Igor Zlatanović and Javon East should also be involved in attack. Hapoel may not have many long attacking spells, so their forwards need to make counters count when the spaces appear.

FK Crvena Zvezda vs Hapoel Beer Sheva key factors to consider

• Hapoel Beer Sheva leads 1-0 from the first leg.
• Zahi Ahmed scored the only goal in Hungary.
• Crvena Zvezda played with an extra man for more than half an hour in the first leg but still failed to score.
• The second leg is at Stadion Rajko Mitić in Belgrade.
• Crvena Zvezda beat Novi Pazar 2-0 at the weekend.
• Hapoel can progress with a draw.
• Matan Baltaxa is suspended for Hapoel after his first-leg red card.
• The winner will face AGF Aarhus or Sabah in the playoff round.

Conclusion

Hapoel has something to protect, and that makes them dangerous. They can defend deep, slow the match down and wait for Zvezda to become impatient.

The problem is that defending a one-goal lead in Belgrade is a very difficult job. Zvezda has to respond after the first-leg defeat, and they should create more pressure at home than they did in Hungary.

This is not only about quality. It is about the match situation. Zvezda needs the win, Hapoel needs to survive, and that should push the Serbian side into a much more aggressive performance.

The odds are short, but the pick makes sense. Zvezda has the better squad, the stronger home setting and enough attacking options to win the match in 90 minutes.

Verdict: FK Crvena Zvezda to win
Best odds: 31/100
Bookmaker: 1xBet

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