Crvena Zvezda Seek Comeback Against Hapoel Beer Sheva in Champions League Qualifier

Crvena Zvezda Target Comeback as Hapoel Defend 1-0 Lead

FK Crvena Zvezda return to Belgrade needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Hapoel Beer Sheva in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. Their perfect home record and five goals scored without reply offer encouragement, but the visitors arrive with the advantage and a clear opportunity to protect it.

Match Details and Qualification Context

The second leg takes place at Stadion Rajko Mit in Belgrade on Tuesday, August 11, with kickoff scheduled for 18:00 UTC. Hapoel Beer Sheva lead 1-0 from the first meeting, so Crvena Zvezda must win by at least two goals to progress without requiring extra-time calculations.

There is no standings data available for either club in this qualifying phase, making the aggregate score the clearest measure of the situation. Crvena Zvezda need to balance the demand for an attacking performance with the responsibility of preventing Hapoel from scoring an away goal that would make their task even more difficult.

Contrasting Recent Form

Crvena Zvezda have won two of their last three matches, with their only defeat coming in the first leg against Hapoel Beer Sheva. Their recent victories include a 2-0 result over Novi Pazar and a commanding 5-0 home success against Larne, suggesting that confidence in front of goal remains strong despite the setback in the previous meeting.

Hapoel Beer Sheva also have two victories in their last three games, recovering from a 3-1 defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv with wins over Vikingur Reykjavik and Crvena Zvezda. However, their recorded away return is less convincing, with one defeat, one goal scored and two conceded, a pattern Crvena Zvezda will hope to exploit.

Tactical Matchup

Crvena Zvezda have alternated between a 4-3-2-1 and a 4-2-3-1, giving them flexibility in how they build attacks. The 4-3-2-1 can create a narrow attacking unit behind the forward, while the 4-2-3-1 offers a clearer advanced midfield presence and may help them sustain pressure around the visitors’ penalty area.

Hapoel Beer Sheva have used a 4-3-3 in all three recorded matches, a structure that gives them width and natural outlets for counterattacks. If Crvena Zvezda push their full-backs forward, Hapoel can look to exploit the spaces outside the central defenders, although defending deep for long spells could test their organisation.

Prediction and Expected Outcome

Crvena Zvezda’s home numbers make them the slight favourites on the night: one win from one, five goals scored, no goals conceded and a clean sheet. Those figures point to a side capable of controlling the match in familiar surroundings, but their need to chase the tie could also leave openings if the first goal does not arrive quickly.

Prediction: FK Crvena Zvezda 2-0 Hapoel Beer Sheva. The Serbian side’s strong home production and defensive record should help them take control, while Hapoel’s limited away return makes a narrow home victory the most likely outcome.