The first leg of the 2025/26 Champions League qualification playoff between Crvena Zvezda (Serbia) and Pafos (Cyprus) will take place on August 19 at the Rajko Mitić Stadium in Belgrade. Crvena Zvezda vs. Pafos: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Crvena Zvezda
In the previous qualification round, the team faced Lech and emerged victorious over two legs (3-1, 1-1). Drawing in the second leg, Crvena Zvezda ended their four-match winning streak in the Champions League. Nevertheless, the club extended their scoring streak in this European competition to ten matches, although they have failed to keep a clean sheet in 10 of their last 12 Champions League games. Notably, the Serbs have participated in the main draw of the Champions League in the past two seasons.
- The team has not won in regular time in 8 of their last 11 home matches in the Champions League (3 draws, 5 losses).
- The club's players have scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 9 of their last 11 home games in this European competition.
- The Serbs have found the net in the second half in 9 of their last 10 home Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Crvena Zvezda (4-5-1)
Mateus – Sol Yen U, Milos Velkovic, Rodrigao, Nair Tiknizyan – Bruno Duarte, Peter Olayinka, Rade Krunic, Timi Elshnik, Xavi Babica – Sheriff Ndiaye.
Defender Rodrigao and midfielder Rade Krunic are suspended for this match.
Pafos
In the previous round, the Cypriots overcame Dynamo Kyiv, winning both matches (1-0, 2-0). Pafos is participating in the Champions League for the first time in their history and remains unbeaten in this tournament (3 wins, 1 draw). Additionally, the team kept clean sheets in their last three Champions League matches. Notably, the club reached the round of 16 in another European competition, the Conference League, last season.
- The team has not lost in regular time in 4 of their last 5 away matches in European competitions (2 wins, 2 draws).
- The club's players have scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 away games in European competitions.
- The Cypriots have conceded in regular time in 9 of their last 11 away matches in European club tournaments.
Predicted lineup for Pafos (4-3-3)
Neofytos Michail – David Gomes Goldar, Derrick Luckassen, Kostas Pileas, Joao Correia – Ivan Sunjic, Vlad Dragomir, Pepe Rodrigues – Bruno Souza Silva, Muamer Tankovic, Mislav Orsic.
Midfielder Domingos Quina is suspended.
Match Prediction: Crvena Zvezda vs. Pafos
At home, the Serbs aim to play actively and focus heavily on attack. While Crvena Zvezda may not always secure a positive result, they consistently challenge their opponents' defenses and score goals. In their last 15 home Champions League matches, the club's players have never left the field without scoring, finding the net 41 times during this period. However, defensive errors are common: in their last 11 home Champions League games, the Serbs have only kept a clean sheet once.
Pafos lacks significant experience in European competitions but has already made a positive impression. Even away from home, the team strives not to sit back and creates as many chances as possible: in their last seven away European matches, the Cypriots have failed to score only once. However, their defense is rarely reliable: in 9 of their last 11 European matches, Pafos has conceded.
I anticipate effective attacking play from both teams, so my prediction: Both teams to score – yes
