Red Star Belgrade vs Benfica Prediction and Betting Tips | September 19th 2024

Red Star Belgrade will entertain Benfica at the Rajko Mitić Stadium in their UEFA Champions League campaign opener on Thursday. The hosts will play for the second consecutive season in the competition while the Eagles will play in the group stage for the fourth season on the trot.

The Star booked their place in the league phase with a 3-2 win on aggregate over Bodo/Glimt last month. They are on a three-game winning streak in all competitions and registered a 2-0 win over Napredak in the Serbian SuperLiga on Saturday thanks to goals from Bruno Duarte and Mirko Ivanić.

The visitors suffered a shock 2-0 loss in their Primeira Liga campaign opener last month and have won three of the four games since. They registered a 4-1 home win over Santa Clara on Sunday, thanks to goals from Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Florentino Luís, António Silva, and Ángel Di María.

Red Star Belgrade vs Benfica Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

The two teams have squared off twice, with the meetings taking place in the 1984-85 European Cup campaign. Both teams registered home wins and the Eagles progressed to the next round on a 4-3 aggregate score.
Red Star went winless in the group stage of the Champions League last season, suffering five losses. They conceded 15 goals in six games.
The visitors fared a little better in the group stage last season, recording one win while suffering four losses.
Red Star Belgrade are unbeaten at home this season, recording four wins in five games. Interestingly, they have enjoyed an unbeaten run at home in competitive games in 2024.
Benfica are winless in two away games thus far this season, scoring just once.
The visitors have suffered three losses in their last 12 away games in the Champions League, with two defeats coming last season and one in the 2021-22 season.

Red Star Belgrade vs Benfica Prediction

The Red-Whites are on a three-game winning streak in all competitions, scoring five goals without a reply. They have scored 14 goals in five home games this season and will look to continue their prolific form in this match. Interestingly, they have won just one of their last 12 games in the Champions League group stage while suffering 10 defeats.

As Águias have won three of their last four games while scoring nine goals and will look to extend their unbeaten streak to five games. They have won just one of their last seven competitive away games, which is a cause for concern.

Renato Sanches, Jan-Niklas Beste, Tiago Gouveia, and Fredrik Aursnes remain unavailable through injuries and Bruno Lage is expected to field a strong starting XI in this match.

While both teams head into the match in good form, considering Red Star's struggles in recent Champions League games and the visitors' better record in the competition, Benfica should be able to eke out a narrow win.

Prediction: Red Star Belgrade 1-2 Benfica

Red Star Belgrade vs Benfica Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result - Benfica to win

Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals

Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes

Tip 4: Orkun Kökçü to score or assist any time - Yes