The Matchday 6 fixture of the Europa League 2025/26 group stage between Sturm Graz (Austria) and Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) will take place on December 11 at the Graz-Liebenau Stadium. Sturm Graz vs Red Star Belgrade: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Sturm Graz
The defeat to Panathinaikos (1-2) in the last round was Sturm's third loss in the group stage of the current Europa League campaign. The Austrian side have collected 4 points (1 win, 1 draw) and sit 28th in the overall standings. Notably, Jurgen Zeimel’s team are among the better-defending sides outside the playoff places, conceding only 7 goals — one of the two best defensive records among clubs currently outside the top 24. They are just two points shy of the coveted 24th spot. The team has found the net in 3 of their last 4 Europa League games.
- At least one goal was scored in both halves in 5 of Sturm's last 6 Europa League matches.
- The club is unbeaten at home in 7 of their last 9 matches in this competition (3 wins, 4 draws).
- No more than three goals were scored in 9 of Sturm's last 10 home games in the Europa League.
Predicted line-up Sturm Graz (4-4-2)*
Oliver Christensen – Emmanuel Aivu, Emir Karić, Niklas Geirhofer, Heyland Mitchell – Jon Gorenc-Stankovic, Otar Kiteishvili, Filip Rozga, Tochi Chukwuani – Maurice Malone, Sidi Yatta.
Red Star Belgrade
After a three-match winless run to start the group stage (1 draw, 2 defeats), Red Star have responded with two consecutive 1-0 victories over Lille and FCSB, both played at home. Prior to that run, the Belgrade side had gone 12 straight Europa League matches conceding goals. The recent positive results have lifted the Serbs to 22nd in the overall standings, but among the 24 teams occupying playoff positions they still have the lowest goals scored total — just 4.
- The Serbs failed to score more than once in 7 of their last 8 Europa League games.
- On the road in this competition the team are on a six-match losing streak.
- In their last 6 away Europa League matches the club conceded at least twice in each game.
Predicted line-up Red Star Belgrade (4-4-2)*
Mateus – Sol Yong U, Milos Veljkovic, Franklin Tebo, Nair Tiknizyan – Rade Krunic, Mirko Ivanic, Tomas Hendel, Timi Elshnik – Marko Arnautovic, Bruno Duarte.
Forward Marko Arnautovic is recovering from injury. Midfielder Nemanja Radonjic has been suspended from the squad. Defender Franklin Tebo is suspended.
Match Prediction: Sturm Graz vs Red Star Belgrade
Sturm have picked up the bulk of their Europa League points at home and have struggled away from home, losing three of their last away fixtures in the competition. At home they are difficult to beat — unbeaten in 7 of their last 9 Europa League home matches (3 wins, 4 draws). I think the hosts have a good chance of taking a result here, especially given Red Star's poor run on the road.
Red Star’s recent woes are largely defensive. Although they managed two clean sheets in their last home games, they have conceded in eight consecutive away Europa League matches and leaked at least two goals in six of their last seven away fixtures. Sturm sit outside the playoff places and are likely to push forward to improve their standing. The fragile Serbian defence is unlikely to withstand sustained pressure.
My prediction: Sturm Graz to avoid defeat and Over 1.5 goals
* The starting XI shown for each team corresponds to their previous match in this competition.
