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Red Star Belgrade begin their quest for a Champions League place with a trip to Inver Park to face Larne in the first leg of their 2026-27 second-round qualifying tie.
The hosts had to overcome Tre Fiori in the opening round to set up Tuesday’s meeting with their Serbian counterparts, who are aiming to feature in Europe’s premier club competition for the third time in four seasons.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Larne vs. Red Star Belgrade key stats
- Larne are unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions.
- Five of Red Star Belgrade’s last six matches have produced at least three goals and ended with both teams scoring.
- The away side’s 5-0 demolition of Macva last time out ended a run of five consecutive matches without a clean sheet.
Larne vs. Red Star Belgrade preview: Instant UCL return for Zvezda?
Larne vs. Red Star Belgrade — Tale of the Tape
| Larne | vs | Red Star Belgrade |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | Position | 1st (Mozzart Bet Superliga) |
| N/A | Points | 3 |
| N/A | Goals For | 5 |
| N/A | Goals Against | 0 |
| N/A | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| N/A | Home / Away Rank | N/A |
Picking up where they left off last season, which ended with an 8-0 demolition of Dungannon Swifts, Larne overcame Coleraine on penalties to win the NIFL Charity Shield before facing Tre Fiori in the first round of the Champions League qualifiers.
Matthew Lusty’s goal on the stroke of half time gave Gary Haveron’s side a first-leg advantage, before Matt Ridley and Dan Bent struck in the second leg to render Pietro Mengucci’s opener meaningless.
Now into the Champions League qualifying second round for the first time in their history, the Inver Reds prepare to face Red Star Belgrade, buoyed by an eight-game unbeaten run since April 7.
Having kept clean sheets in five of their last six competitive matches, Larne will need that defensive solidity to come to the fore against a Red Star side who rarely have trouble finding the net.
Given their poor European record on the road – just one win from their last eight away matches – Tuesday’s hosts will be eager to take a first-leg advantage to Belgrade for next week’s return leg.
After securing a ninth consecutive domestic title in May, Red Star Belgrade began their title defence with a commanding 5-0 victory over Macva on Friday at Stadion Rajko Mitic.
Dejan Stankovic’s side have eased any concerns following a shaky pre-season, in which they won just one of four friendlies, most recently losing 3-1 to Zenit St Petersburg.
The Red-Whites featured in consecutive Champions League campaigns before losing out to Cypriot champions Pafos in last season’s play-offs, and they will be eager for an immediate return to Europe’s top stage.
Red Star have developed a habit of fast starts, scoring first in four of their last five matches, including three goals in the opening 33 minutes of their Superliga opener.
With a league clash against Vojvodina sandwiched between their European fixtures, Red Star must strike the right balance against opponents who currently have no domestic fixtures to contend with.
Larne vs. Red Star Belgrade form guide & betting tips
| Larne | vs | Red Star Belgrade |
|---|---|---|
WWW |
Form | W
|
| 3 | Goals For | 5 |
| 1 | Goals Against | 0 |
WW |
Champions League qualification | N/A |
Whispers predicts: Larne 1-3 Red Star Belgrade
Given their experience at this level, Red Star Belgrade are overwhelming favourites, and we expect them to secure victory at 3/25 (1.12).
However, they have shown defensive vulnerability in recent months, making BTTS – Yes at 13/8 (2.62) an appealing option.
Only one of the visitors' last six matches has featured fewer than three goals, so over 2.5 goals at 1/2 (1.50) looks a strong selection.
> Red Star Belgrade to win at 3/25 (1.12) | Likelihood: Possible
> Both teams to score at 13/8 (2.62) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 1/2 (1.50) | Likelihood: Possible