The second leg of the 2025/26 Champions League qualification playoff between Pafos (Cyprus) and Crvena Zvezda (Serbia) will take place on August 26 at the Limassol Stadium. The first match ended 2-1 in favor of Pafos. Pafos vs. Crvena Zvezda: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Pafos
In the first encounter, Juan Carlos Carcedo's team managed a 2-1 away victory. As a result, Pafos, participating in the Champions League for the first time, extended their winning streak in this European competition to four matches. However, the Cypriots failed to keep a clean sheet for the first time during this stretch. Now, to advance to the main stage of the tournament, the team only needs to avoid defeat over 90 minutes.
- The club has not lost in regular time in their last five Champions League matches (4 wins, 1 draw).
- No more than two goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 4 of the team's last 5 matches in this European competition.
- The Cypriots have scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in regular time in their last five Champions League games.
Predicted lineup for Pafos (4-3-3)
Neofytos Michael – David Gomez Goldar, Derrick Luckassen, Kostas Pileas, Joao Correia – Ivan Sunjic, Vlad Dragomir, Pepe Rodrigues – Bruno, Muamer Tankovic, Anderson Oliveira Silva.
The participation of defender Joao Correia and forward Muamer Tankovic is in question due to injuries sustained in the first match.
Crvena Zvezda
After losing the first match, the team suffered their first defeat in six previous Champions League matches (4 wins, 1 draw). Additionally, Crvena Zvezda conceded more than one goal for the first time in this period. However, the club extended their scoring streak in the Champions League to 11 matches. To advance to the main stage, the Serbs need to win by at least a two-goal margin over 90 minutes. A one-goal victory will result in extra time. Notably, the team participated in the main draw of the Champions League in the previous two seasons.
- The club has lost in regular time in 8 of their last 11 away matches in the Champions League.
- At least three goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 5 of the team's last 7 away matches in this European competition.
- The Serbs have conceded at least two goals in regular time in 8 of their last 11 away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Crvena Zvezda (4-5-1)
Mateus – Sol Yeon Woo, Milos Veljkovic, Veljko Milosavljevic, Nair Tiknizyan – Mahmudu Baggio, Peter Olayinka, Mirko Ivanic, Timi Elsnik, Shavi Babika – Sheriff Ndiaye.
Referee
Michael Oliver (England)
Matches – 17 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 71;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.2;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 35%.
Pafos vs. Crvena Zvezda: Match Prediction
The Cypriots achieved an excellent result in the away match and will likely focus on a solid defensive performance at home. Overall, in this season's Champions League, Pafos has been reliable in defense, conceding only two goals in their last five matches, with three clean sheets. Additionally, in their last ten home European matches, the club has not conceded more than one goal, keeping seven clean sheets during this period.
Crvena Zvezda couldn't score more than one goal against Pafos at home, and they generally struggle to score away. In their last ten away Champions League encounters, the Serbs have only managed to break through the opposition's defense more than once on one occasion, failing to score in two of those matches. It's also worth noting that in this season's Champions League, the club has scored just one goal in their away match against Gibraltar's Lincoln Red Imps.
I believe Pafos can hold off the opponent's attack and concede no more than one goal in regular time. My prediction: Crvena Zvezda individual total under 1.5 goals
* For each team, the starting lineup from their previous match in this tournament is indicated.
