Red Star Belgrade will take on Celtic in the Europa League on Wednesday night as both teams get their league phase campaigns underway.
Both teams are in the Europa League this season as a consequence of losing their Champions League playoff matches, but they should both be more competitive in European football's second tier.
As part of this week's round of Europa League betting tips, check out our Red Star Belgrade vs Celtic prediciton below.
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Red Star Belgrade vs Celtic prediction: The visitors to start with a win
Key Stats
- Celtic have won three of their five away matches so far this season.
- Red Star haven't won any of their last three European matches.
- Both teams have scored in each of Red Star's last seven matches in all competitions.
Correct score prediction: Red Star Belgrade 1-2 Celtic
This won't be an easy away trip for Celtic, but Red Star a certainly beatable on home soil, as proven by the Cypriot side, Pafos, who stunned them here in the Champions League playoff round last month. Celtic are on the up after their own Champions League exit and have enough quality to do damage at the top of the pitch.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Celtic are narrow favourites
- HOME: 19/10 (2.90) – 34.5%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 5/4 (2.25) – 44.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Red Star Belgrade vs Celtic odds are weighted slightly in favour of the away side, but Celtic are still priced longer than evens to get the win. Ladbrokes have given Red Star a 34.5% chance of winning the match on Wednesday, while Celtic have been given a 44.4% chance of victory.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: A first-ever meeting
This will be the first time that Red Star Belgrade have ever played a match against Celtic, which adds an element of the unknown for both teams.
Red Star Belgrade preview: No Krunic
Red Star Belgrade will be without one of the most important players on Wednesday night as Rade Krunic has been ruled out with a muscle injury. The rest of the squad is in good nick, though, which means they have the firepower up front to cause Celtic some problems.
Predicted lineup: Matheus (GK), Seol, Lekovic, Veljkovic, Tiknizyan, Kostov, Elsnik, Handel, Ivanic, Katai, Arnautovic
Last five results
- Partizan 1-2 Red Star Belgrade
- Red Star Belgrade 7-1 Zeleznicar Pancevo
- Novi Pazar 1-5 Red Star Belgrade
- Pafros 1-1 Red Star Belgrade
- Red Star Belgrade 1-2 Pafos
Celtic preview: Quartet to miss out
Celtic are missing four first-team players for this match, with Anthony Ralston, Auston Trusty, Jota and Alistair Johnston all ruled out with injuries. Teenager, Colby Donovan, has impressed in recent weeks so should continue at full-back for this one.
Predicted lineup: Schmeichel (GK), Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney, McGregor, Nygren, Hatate, Balikwisha, Iheanacho, Maeda
Last five results
- Partick 0-4 Celtic
- Kilmarnock 1-2 Celtic
- Rangers 0-0 Celtic
- Kairat 0-0 Celtic
- Celtic 3-0 Livingston
Player to watch: Marko Arnautovic
Mark Arnautovic may be in the twilight of his career now, but he hasn't taken the easy option to end his career and has instead moved to Belgrade. The Austrian forward will be the most talented player on the pitch on Wednesday night, and if he turns it on, then Celtic could be in trouble.