After only one victory in four Europa League matches in the current campaign, both teams will come into this encounter with the desire to claim a victory to boost their chances of making it to the next round of the competition, when they clash at Stadion Rajko Mitic on Thursday.
The hosts and the visitors remain outside of the automatic qualification zone with four and three points respectively, and a win for either side could go a long way in their quest to advance to the playoff stage.
Have a look at our Europa League predictions and betting tips to boost your chances of landing your bets.
Contents
- 1 Red Star Belgrade vs FCSB predictions: Red Star are the favourites
- 2 Most recent H2Hs: Can Red Star Belgrade make the most of home advantage?
- 3 Red Star Belgrade Preview: Can the hosts get back to winning ways?
- 4 FCSB preview: The visitors have a mountain of injuries
- 5 Player to watch: Marko Arnautovic
Red Star Belgrade vs FCSB predictions: Red Star are the favourites
Key stats
- Red Star have found the back of the net in 15 straight European encounters.
- FCSB have lost three back-to-back fixtures in the Europa League.
- The hosts have won three of their last five matches (W3, D1, L1).
- Red Star lost their last competitive outing against Javor 1-0.
Correct score prediction: Red Star Belgrade 3-1 FCSB
Red Star Belgrade began their Europa League campaign unceremoniously, losing their first three fixtures in the competition before finally managing their first triumph on matchday four against Lille.
Since then, they seem to have steadied the ship, and they are in fine fettle going into this encounter on Thursday.
For FCSB, they have suffered three consecutive defeats since their victory in gameweek one of the competition, and the odds are stacked against them. Therefore, we are backing the hosts to win 3-1.
Pre-game odds and win probability: The hosts have the edge
- HOME: 4/9 (1.44) – 69.2%
- DRAW: 18/5 (4.60) – 21.7%
- AWAY: 11/2 (6.50) – 15.4%
**Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Red Star Belgrade are heavily backed by the bookmakers, with Ladbrokes pricing them at 4/9 (1.44), which implies a 69.2% probability for the home side to claim all three points in front of their fans on Thursday. That said, the visiting side have odds of 11/2 (6.50), which translates to a 15.4% chance to win away from home.
Most recent H2Hs: Can Red Star Belgrade make the most of home advantage?
The last time these two sides went head-to-head was in a 2011 friendly, which ended as a goalless stalemate. However, with the need to add more points on the board, both sides will go out in search of all three points.
Red Star Belgrade Preview: Can the hosts get back to winning ways?
Red Star Belgrade brought an end to their winless run in the Europa League in their last fixture against Lille, courtesy of a 1-0 victory over French side Lille.
After their maiden victory in Europe's second-tier competition, they have put together a couple of wins before suffering a defeat at the hands of Javor in the domestic league. That said, they will be looking to get back to winning ways; however, they have a few injury concerns, with the likes of Shavy Babicka and Kevin Sandoval ruled out of this encounter.
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Predicted lineup: Matheus (GK), Avdic, Seol, Veljkovic, Uchenna, Handel, Elsnik, Kostov, Katai, Ivanic & Duarte
Last five matches
- Javor 1-0 Red Star
- Sloven Rumen 0-2 Red Star
- Subotica 2-3 Red Star
- Red Star 1- 0 Lille
- Red Star 1-1 Radnik
FCSB preview: The visitors have a mountain of injuries
Going into this encounter, not fewer than five players from the visiting side are ruled out through injuries and suspensions. Inout Cercel is suffering from an undisclosed injury, while Joyskim Dawa and Mihai Popescu are ruled out due to knee injuries. Stefan Tarnovanu, on the other hand, is suspended for this encounter.
Predicted lineup: Zima (GK), Radunovic, Graovac, Ngezana, Pantea, Olaru, Cisotti, Edjouma, Tanase, Miculescu & Stoian
Last five matches
- FCSB 1-1 Petrolul
- FC Hermannstadt 3- 3 FCSB
- Basel 3-1 FCMB
- Cluj 0- 2 FCSB
- Gloria Bistrita 1-3 FCSB
Player to watch: Marko Arnautovic
The veteran Austrian forward has found the back of the net twice for his team in the Europa League this season, and he will be looking for his third goal of the competition on Thursday.
