Red Star Belgrade vs Benfica Predicted lineup, betting tips, odds, injury news, H2H, telecast | UEFA Champions League 2024-25

Benfica start this season’s Champions League journey against Red Star Belgrade.

Red Star Belgrade have had a fantastic start to the season, leading the Serbian Super Liga table by three points with a game left against their closest competitors. Red Star Belgrade, formerly known as Crvena Zvuezda, advanced to the Champions League group stage the previous season but lost all of their games, so they’ll be hoping for better fortune when they meet Benfica on Thursday.

The Portuguese powerhouses were defeated away at Famalicao in their season’s first match, but they have since won all of their games and are currently ranked fifth in Primeira Liga. Although the visitors on Thursday know they have the superior players on paper and should win this match, they will be prepared for a difficult 90 minutes in Serbia.

Kick-off

Thursday: 19 Sept, 10: 15 p.m. IST

Form

Red Star Belgrade: W-W-L-W-W-W

Benfica: D-L-W-W-D-W

Players to watch

Red Star Belgrade: Bruno Duarte

Duarte has been leading the attack for the Serbian team and the striker has been on the scoresheet in the last two games and will hope to continue his goalscoring tally when his side host the Portuguese team in Champions League final. Duarte is an excellent box-to-box player and boasts great box movements and finishing as well. His presence will be important for his team to carry goalscoring responsibility.

Benfica: Angel di Maria

Benfica have Di Maria who has continued to make a big impact for the club and remains an integral part of the team this season. He has given the Portuguese a big attacking intent from either side of the flanks and has made impressive contributions so far. He will be looking to make another big impression for Benfica in their Champions League quest.

Match facts

• In the last four competitive games, Benfica have won three of them.
• In their last six games, Red Star Belgrade have scored in every one of them.
• Out of their last six games, Benfica have only been able to maintain two clean sheets.

Red Star Belgrade vs Benfica: Betting tips and odds

• Tip 1: Benfica to win this game.
• Tip 2: Angel di Maria to score.
• Tip 3: Benfica to get a clean sheet in this game.

Injury and team news

The primary injury issue for the hosts heading into their crucial test against Benfica on Thursday is Vladimir Lucic.

Due to injuries, Tiago Gouveia and Andre Gomes will not be travelling with Benfica for the game.

Head-to-head

Red Star Belgrade and Benfica will play one other in a competitive match for the first time ever on Thursday in Serbia.

Predicted lineup

Red Star Belgrade predicted lineup (4-3-2-1)

Glazer (GK); Drkusic, Seol, Lekovic, Mimovic; Ivanic, Krunic; Elsnik, Olayinka, Duarte; Katompa Mvumpa

Benfica predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Trubin (GK); Bah, Otamendi, A. Silva, Fernandez; Florentino, Kokcu; Di María, Pavlidis, Akturkoglu; Rollheiser

Prediction

Since Benfica have a stronger team on paper and more experience in this league, we’re backing them to defeat their Serbian opponents this week. However, we also anticipate that the home team will make their opponents work hard to win, which is why we’ve predicted a narrow win in favour of the Portuguese team.

Prediction: Red Star Belgrade 1-2 Benfica.

Live telecast details

India – Sony Sports Network, SonyLiv

UK – Amazon Prime Video

US – Paramount+

Nigeria – DStv Now

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