Red Star Belgrade, or Crvena Zvuezda as they are also known, made it to the group stage of the Champions League last season but failed to win a single game so they will be hoping for more luck when they play host to Benfica on Thursday.
The Portuguese giants lost their opening game of the season away at Famalicao but have gone unbeaten since that defeat and sit fifth in the Primeira Liga table.
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Red Star Belgrade vs Benfica prediction: Benfica to bag the points?
Key Stats
- Benfica have picked up three wins from their last four competitive matches.
- Red Star Belgrade have scored in each of their last six matches.
- Benfica have only managed to keep two clean sheets in their last six attempts.
Correct score prediction: Red Star Belgrade 1-2 Benfica
We're backing Benfica to edge out their Serbian hosts this week as the visitors have a better squad on paper and more experience in this competition but we're expecting the home side to make their guests work hard for their victory, hence the narrow 2-1 correct score prediction in the Portuguese side's favour.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Benfica backed by the bookmakers
- HOME: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.8%
- DRAW: 54/19 (3.84) – 26%
- AWAY: 10/11 (1.91) – 52.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Benfica are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 52.4% and we agree with the bookmakers on this selection.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: First meeting
Thursday's clash in Serbia between Red Star Belgrade and Benfica marks the first-ever competitive meeting between these two great clubs that both share fantastic footballing histories.
Red Star Belgrade preview: Lost one of last six
Red Star Belgrade top the Serbian Super Liga table by three points and have a game in hand over their nearest rivals, so it has been an excellent start to the season.
Vladan Milojevic's side made it through to the Champions League proper by beating Norway's Bodo/Glimt over two legs. The Serbs lost 2-1 in Norway but managed to secure a 2-0 victory at home to win 3-2 on aggregate.
Vladimir Lucic is the main injury concern for the hosts ahead of their big test against Benfica on Thursday.
Predicted lineup: Glazer (GK), Drkusic, Seol, Lekovic, Mimovic, Ivanic, Krunic, Elsnik, Olayinka, Duarte & Katompa Mvumpa
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
Benfica preview: Recovered from a shock defeat
Benfica bounced back from their opening-day defeat in the Primeira Liga with three wins and a draw in their new four league games.
Thursday's visitors will be expecting a tough 90 minutes in Serbia but know that they have the better players on paper and should be winning this fixture.
Tiago Gouveia and Andre Gomes will miss the trip to Eastern Europe due to injury.
Predicted lineup: Trubin (GK), Otamendi, Bah, A. Silva, Fernandez, Di María, Florentino, Kokcu, Pavlidis, Akturkoglu & Rollheiser
Portugal Primeira Liga 10/05/25
D
Sporting
1
Benfica
1
Portugal Primeira Liga 03/05/25
W
Estoril
1
Benfica
2
Portugal Primeira Liga 27/04/25
W
AVS
0
Benfica
6
Portugal Cup 23/04/25
W
FC Tirsense
0
Benfica
4
Portugal Primeira Liga 19/04/25
W
Guimaraes
0
Benfica
3
Player to watch: Orkun Kokcu
Orkun Kokcu enjoyed an excellent debut season with Benfica in which the midfielder scored seven times in 43 appearances across all competitions.
The 23-year-old former Feyenoord star has started the new Primeira Liga campaign very brightly as well, scoring once and setting up three goals.
The Turkish international has started the season in great form
We're backing Kokcu to provide the main creative force for Benfica in Serbia as well as being a possible source of goals, so you can see why we have highlighted the Turkish star as our player to watch.