Serbian SuperLiga champions and European heavyweights Red Star Belgrade begin their UEFA Champions League campaign by traveling to face Gibraltar champions Lincoln Red Imps in the second round of qualifiers at Europa Point Stadium on Tuesday, 22 July.
View our Champions League predictions after analysing the Lincoln Red Imps vs Red Star Belgrade preview.
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Lincoln Red Imps vs Red Star Belgrade prediction: Can the hosts handle the visitors?
Key Stats
- Lincoln Red Imps are victorious in nine successive games coming into this clash.
- The Red Imps have lost 15 of their previous 27 UCL qualifiers (W9, D3).
- Red Star haven’t lost any of their last five games, including four friendlies.
- Crvena Zvezda have lost just once across their last 10 away competitive trips.
Correct score prediction: Red Imps 0-3 Red Star
The Red Imps were the first team to represent Gibraltar in the UEFA Champions League’s qualifying stage back in 2014, and will now hope to go past the second qualifying round for the first time ever. Juanjo Bezares’ men beat Vikingur 4-2 on aggregate in the last round, but the quality of opposition might be too hot to handle for them this time around.
On the other hand, Red Star opened their Serbian SuperLiga account with a 4-0 victory against Javor as they seek to defend their domestic title for the eighth year running. Vladan Milojevic’s men beat Bodo/Glimt to qualify for the UCL league phase, and they are favourites to claim their spot in the main tournament for the third success season. We expect Crvena Zvezda to take a healthy lead into the second leg.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Visitors the overwhelming favourites
- HOME: 14/1 (15.00) – 6%
- DRAW: 6/1 (7.00) – 12%
- AWAY: 2/11 (1.20) – 83%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Lincoln Red Imps return to play at home for second time in a week, and are clear underdogs ahead of the second leg. The Gibraltar champions are priced at 14/1 (15.00) odds – implying a mere 6% chance of securing success for the hosts.
Red Star are expectedly the favourites in this first leg clash at the Europa Point Stadium. The Red-Whites know what it takes to claim a win, as indicated by odds of 2/11 (1.20), a whopping 80%+ win probability rate.
Don’t forget to check out more of our football betting tips page after analysing our Lincoln Red Imps vs Red Star predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: First-ever meeting
The visitors' only previous encounter with Gibraltarian opposition arrived in the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League qualifiers, when they beat Europa 5-0 on aggregate. This will be the sides’ first-ever meeting.
Red Imps: Can they stick to their momentum?
The hosts have no fresh injury concerns as Bezares’ men prepare to welcome Red Star with a full-strength squad.
Predicted lineup: Santana (GK), Nano, Munoz, Rutjens, Garcia, Britto, Lopes, Torrilla, Gomez, Villacanas & De Barr
Gibraltar National League 14/12/24
W
FCB Magpies
0
Lincoln Red Imps FC
2
Gibraltar National League 30/11/24
W
Europa Point
0
Lincoln Red Imps FC
2
Gibraltar National League 23/10/24
D
St Joseph's FC
0
Lincoln Red Imps FC
0
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 29/08/24
L
Larne FC
3
Lincoln Red Imps FC
1
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 22/08/24
W
Larne FC
1
Lincoln Red Imps FC
2
Red Star preview: European journey begins
Milojevic will expect his side to give their best as they arrive in Gibraltar with a point to prove, after their poor UCL league phase campaign last season.
Predicted lineup: Matheus (GK), Seol, Veljkovic, Milosavljevic, Tiknizyan, Milson, Ivanic, Krunic, Sljivic, Ndiaye & Katai
Serbia Super Liga 11/05/25
D
Vojvodina
1
Crvena Zvezda
1
Serbia Cup 07/05/25
W
FK Napredak
2
Crvena Zvezda
4
Serbia Super Liga 03/05/25
W
FK Backa Topola
1
Crvena Zvezda
2
Serbia Super Liga 27/04/25
W
OFK Beograd
2
Crvena Zvezda
5
Serbia Super Liga 23/04/25
L
FK Radnicki 1923
4
Crvena Zvezda
1
Player to watch: Mirko Ivanic
Ivanic’s stunning brace helped Red Star secure a 4-0 victory over Javor in the opening Serbian SuperLiga matchday. The 31-year-old midfielder's presence in the final-third poses a concrete threat against the Red Imps defense, who have kept seven clean sheets in their last 10 competitive fixtures.