The Matchday 2 clash in the 2025/26 Europa League group stage between Porto (Portugal) and Crvena Zvezda (Serbia) will take place on October 2 at the Estádio do Dragão. Porto vs. Crvena Zvezda: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Porto
A last-minute goal in injury time gave the Portuguese side a victory in the first round against Salzburg. Notably, the team has scored in four consecutive Europa League matches. However, Porto's scoring record is modest, as they haven't scored more than once in 4 of their last 5 Europa League games. Nevertheless, the team has not lost in 5 of their last 7 matches in this tournament (3 wins, 2 draws).
- No more than two goals have been scored in 5 of Porto's last 7 Europa League games.
- The team has conceded in 10 of their last 12 home games in this tournament.
- At home, Porto has not lost in 5 of their last 7 Europa League matches, securing 3 wins.
Predicted lineup for Porto (3-4-3)
Diogo Costa – Jan Bednarek, Zaidu Sanusi, Jakub Kiwior – Victor Froholdt, Alan Varela, Gabri Veiga, Pablo Rosario – Pepe Aquino, Samu Agehova, Borja Sainz.
Forward Luuk de Jong and defender Nehuén Pérez are injured.
Crvena Zvezda
The Serbian side drew 1-1 at home against Celtic in the first round. This draw ended their 8-match streak of decisive results in the Europa League (3 wins, 5 losses). However, their streak of conceding goals continues, as Crvena Zvezda has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 10 Europa League games. Nevertheless, the Balkan team has scored in 6 consecutive Europa League matches.
- Both teams have scored in the last 6 Europa League games involving the Serbian side.
- The team has a streak of 4 away losses in this tournament.
- In 6 of their last 7 away Europa League matches, the club has scored exactly 1 goal.
Predicted lineup for Crvena Zvezda (4-4-2)
Mateus – Sol Eon Woo, Miloš Veljković, Franklin Tebo, Nair Tiknizyan – Timi Elsnik, Nemanja Radonjić, Mirko Ivanić, Tomasz Hendel – Bruno Duarte, Marko Arnautović.
Midfielder Rade Krunić and forwards Xavi Babika, Aleksandar Katai are injured.
Referee
Harm Osmers (Germany)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/2025 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 48;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.3;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 33%.
Porto vs. Crvena Zvezda: Match Prediction
Porto managed to snatch a win in the first round just moments before the final whistle. Despite being a regular in European competitions, the team rarely gives their fans reason to celebrate. In their last 14 Europa League matches, Porto has won only 4 times (5 draws, 5 losses). Even at home, the club's results are only slightly better. Moreover, convincing victories from Porto are rare; the team has only won by more than one goal in 2 of their last 7 home victories.
The Serbians also have a modest presence on the international stage, yet Crvena Zvezda rarely collapses. The team has lost 7 of their last 21 Europa League matches, but in 5 cases, the Balkans were defeated by a minimal score difference. I believe the visitors will maintain a positive handicap this time. My prediction: Crvena Zvezda with a handicap (+1.5)
