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Hapoel Beer-Sheva will take on Red Star Belgrade in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League third-round qualifier on Tuesday night as both teams look to reach the playoff round.
Both sides have already progressed through one round of qualifying to reach this stage of the competition and will now be able to smell the league phase, which is potentially just two wins away.
Read our H Beer-Sheva vs Red Star Belgrade prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
H Beer-Sheva vs Red Star Belgrade key stats
- H Beer-Sheva have never qualified for the group stage or league phase of the UEFA Champions League.
- Red Star Belgrade have won each of their last four competitive matches.
- Both teams have scored in eight of H Beer-Sheva's last nine matches in all competitions.
H Beer-Sheva vs Red Star Belgrade preview: Experience to prove important?
H Beer-Sheva vs Red Star Belgrade — Tale of the Tape
| H Beer-Sheva | vs | Red Star Belgrade |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (25/26 Israeli Premier League) | Position | 2nd (26/27 Serbian Superliga) |
| 79 | Points | 6 |
| 79 | Goals For | 8 |
| 38 | Goals Against | 1 |
| 13 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 2nd | Home / Away Rank | N/A |
As the Israeli champions, Hapoel Beer-Sheva are looking to follow in the footsteps of Maccabi Haifa, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv as Israeli representatives in the group stage/league phase of the UEFA Champions League.
Last season marked their first Israeli title in nearly a decade, meaning manager Ran Kozuch has already cemented his place in the club's history, but the 45-year-old is keen for more.
They narrowly came through the second round of qualifying against Icelandic side Vikingur Reykjavik, meaning they are now at least guaranteed a Europa League playoff match should they fall against Red Star over the next week.
One thing that is absolutely not in their favour is the fact that their ‘home' matches are currently being played in Hungary, which means they won't really be able to rely on a 12th man next week should they remain in the tie on Tuesday.
Zocuch will be without four first-team players for this one, with Djibril Diop, Pedro Amador, Dan Biton and Joao Victor all ruled out through injury.
As for Red Star Belgrade, a trip to the Champions League proper is not unknown territory. They famously won the competition in 1991 and were involved in the league phase just two seasons ago.
The heritage of the club means they start this tie as firm favourites to progress to the playoff round and their form in recent weeks suggests that they have more than just history on their side.
Red Star have won their last four competitive matches, including a 9-0 aggregate win over Larne in the second round of UEFA Champions League qualifying. They have also made a perfect start to the domestic season in Serbia with two wins from two matches.
Red Star's only injury for this one is teenager Adem Avdic, so a full-strength XI should be selected by Vladan Milojevic as they look to kill the tie before the second leg.
H Beer-Sheva vs Red Star Belgrade form guide & betting tips
| H Beer-Sheva | vs | Red Star Belgrade |
|---|---|---|
D
L
L
L
W
|
Form |
L
W
W
W
W
|
| 7 | Goals For | 18 |
| 10 | Goals Against | 2 |
L
W
|
Champions League Form |
W
W
|
Whispers Predicts: H Beer-Sheva 1-3 Red Star Belgrade
The contrasting form of the two sides coming into this match is enough for us to back Red Star to come through this one relatively comfortably. A Red Star Belgrade victory has been best priced at 5/6.
Both teams have scored in 60% of Red Star's last ten competitive matches. BTTS has been priced at 4/6.
Bruno Duarte has scored four goals in his last four competitive appearances for Red Star. Duarte is priced at 6/4 to score anytime on Tuesday.
> Red Star Belgrade to win at 5/6 (1.83) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS at 4/6 (1.67) | Likelihood: Probable
> Duarte to score anytime at 6/4 (2.50) | Likelihood: Probable