Contents
- Competition: UEFA Champions League
- Date: 19th August, 2025
- Kickoff: 20:00 UK / 21:00 CEST
- Venue: Stadium Rajko Mitić
FK Crvena Zvezda and Pafos FC meet in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League qualification play-off round at the Rajko Mitić Stadium on Tuesday.
Both teams have advanced to the play-off stage after overcoming their opponents in the second and third qualifying rounds. For the Cypriot champions, this will be their first-ever appearance in the play-off round of Europe’s elite competition, while FK Crvena Zvezda have the opportunity to reach the group stage for the first time since the 2023/24 season.
Crvena Zvezda team overview
FK Crvena Zvezda were relatively comfortable in the second and third qualifying rounds, deservedly advancing to the play-off round. They had no issues overcoming Lincoln Red Imps over two legs—a narrow 1–0 win in Gibraltar in the first leg did not reflect the actual difference in class, as Crvena Zvezda played with ten men following a sending-off. In the second leg, there were no doubts left, with the Serbian champions securing a comprehensive 5–1 victory. In the last round, they also got the better of Polish champions Lech Poznań, defeating them 4–1 on aggregate.
Midfielder Rade Krunić scored twice in the 3–1 first-leg win over Lech Poznań in the third qualifying round and is certainly one to watch. Bruno Duarte and Cherif Ndiaye have also been key contributors in attack for Crvena Zvezda.
Last matches of Crvena Zvezda
-
Mladost Lucani
1 : 4
Crvena Zvezda
Super Liga
-
Crvena Zvezda
1 : 1
Lech Poznan
Champions League
-
Crvena Zvezda
1 : 0
Bačka Topola
Super Liga
-
Lech Poznan
1 : 3
Crvena Zvezda
Champions League
-
Crvena Zvezda
5 : 1
Lincoln Red Imps FC
Champions League
Crvena Zvezda lineup
Goalkeeper
-
18
Omri Glazer
Defenders
-
24
Nikola Stanković
-
25
Stefan Leković
-
5
Rodrigão
-
71
Adem Avdić
Midfielders
-
8
Jovan Šljivić
-
22
Vasilije Kostov
-
37
Vladimir Lučić
-
7
Milson
-
10
Aleksandar Katai
Forwards
-
19
Aleksa Damjanović
Pafos team overview
The Cypriot champions have enjoyed a wonderful journey in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers so far, sailing through both the second and third qualifying rounds. In the second round, Pafos FC defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 2–1 on aggregate before eliminating multiple-time Ukrainian champions Dynamo Kyiv in the third qualifying round.
Pafos FC are reportedly free of injuries and suspensions ahead of Tuesday’s match.
Last matches of Pafos
-
Pafos
2 : 0
Dynamo Kyiv
Champions League
-
Dynamo Kyiv
0 : 1
Pafos
Champions League
-
Maccabi Tel Aviv
0 : 1
Pafos
Champions League
-
Pafos
1 : 1
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Champions League
-
Pafos
1 : 0
Leyton Orient
Club Friendlies
Pafos lineup
Goalkeeper
-
93
Neofytos Michael
Defenders
-
7
Bruno
-
23
Derrick Luckassen
-
5
David Goldar
-
2
Kostas Pileas
Midfielders
-
88
Pêpê
-
17
Mislav Oršić
-
77
João Correia
-
26
Ivan Šunjić
Forwards
-
30
Vlad Dragomir
-
22
Muamer Tanković
Prediction
FK Crvena Zvezda have participated in the UEFA Champions League group stage on four occasions and are regarded as a vastly superior side on Europe’s biggest stage. For Pafos FC, this will be their first-ever appearance in the play-off round, having never previously qualified for the knockout stages. Despite the Cypriot champions’ recent success, FK Crvena Zvezda remain the team to beat. They showcased their quality against Polish champions Lech Poznań in the previous round, winning 4–1 on aggregate and extending their unbeaten run to 11 matches in all competitions. For this reason, we predict a Crvena Zvezda victory on Tuesday.
Three reasons we expect FK Crvena Zvezda to Win
- FK Crvena Zvezda are undefeated in 11 consecutive matches in all competitions
- FK Crvena Zvezda have won 6 of their last 7 matches in all competitions
- FK Crvena Zvezda are undefeated in 18 consecutive matches in all competitions
Main prediction Crvena Zvezda - Pafos
Crvena Zvezda to win
Best Odds: