FK Crvena Zvezda vs Hapoel Beer Sheva

FK Crvena ZvezdaCRV

UEFA Champions League

0–2

Full Time

HT 0–0

Hapoel Beer ShevaHAP

AI ForecastsGraded

Match of the day · free full analysis

Red Star Belgrade have been rampant in the early qualifiers, averaging three goals per game and keeping two clean sheets from three matches. Hapoel Beer Sheva arrive with a solid defensive record of their own, but their away loss in the last round exposed a vulnerability to conceding late goals, with two-thirds of their goals against coming in the final quarter-hour. The key battle will be whether Red Star's patient build-up can break down a disciplined visiting block before the Israeli side's counter-attacking threat materialises. With no historical meetings to draw on, this tie is a blank canvas, but the Serbian champions' firepower and home advantage make them clear favourites.

Match ResultHome Win72%

Red Star have won their only home qualifier by a five-goal margin and have a two-match winning streak, while Hapoel Beer Sheva lost their only away fixture in this competition.

Win or DrawHome or Draw90%

Red Star are unbeaten in their last two qualifiers and have the quality to sustain that, but Hapoel's discipline could force a share of the points.

Total Goals3 or more goals65%

Red Star's last three games have seen over 2.5 goals on two occasions, and their home outing produced five goals; Hapoel's lone away match also finished with three goals.

Match Stats

Top Stats

–xG–

4%Possession96%

– (2)Shots (on target)– (6)

Possession & Passing

– · –Passes (accuracy)– · –

3Corners3

Defending & Discipline

–Saves–

10Fouls5

FK Crvena Zvezda vs Hapoel Beer Sheva – UCL Qualifying

FK Crvena Zvezda welcome Hapoel Beer Sheva for the decisive second leg of their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie on 11 August. The visitors arrive holding a narrow advantage from the first leg, leaving the Serbian champions needing to overturn the deficit to keep alive their hopes of reaching the play-off round against AGF Aarhus or Sabah FC.

Team News and Injury Latest

Crvena Zvezda are without Adem Avdic, who suffered a cruciate ligament injury in June. Otherwise Vladan Milojević has a deep squad to choose from. Matheus is expected to continue in goal behind a back four of Seol Young-woo, Milos Veljkovic, Franklin Uchenna and Matej Strika. Further forward, the identity of the central striker will be telling – Duarte would offer movement and drifting wide, while Marko Arnautović would give Zvezda a physical focal point for crosses and direct balls. Rade Krunić, Katai or Cham could be introduced if the home side needs a moment of quality in the final third.

Hapoel Beer Sheva’s team news is more complicated. Dan Biton remains unavailable due to heart issues and João Victor is sidelined with a hamstring problem. Djibril Diop and Pedro Amador are also doubts for the Israeli side, who additionally have Baltaxa suspended after a red card in the first meeting. Igor Zlatanovic is expected to lead the line with support from Javon East and Zahi Ahmed, while Lucas Ventura, Eliel Peretz and Niv Yehoshua will be asked to protect the back line alongside the experienced Miguel Vítor.

Previous Results and Form Guide

Crvena Zvezda crushed Larne 9-0 on aggregate in the last round and have now won four straight competitive matches. Hapoel Beer Sheva edged past Vikingur Reykjavik 3-2 on aggregate, but their recent performances have sometimes looked less assured. The first leg between these two sides hinted at a team that wants to play on the front foot – Hapoel were brave and aggressive – but Zvezda head coach Dejan Stanković has stressed the importance of winning the ball high and punishing mistakes, a tactic that could be decisive in this return encounter.

Key Battle: Zvezda’s Attack Against Hapoel’s Depleted Defence

With Baltaxa suspended and João Victor injured, Hapoel will lean heavily on Miguel Vítor’s leadership. The Israeli side may drop into a compact 5-3-2 to deny space, or retain a 4-3-3 and back themselves in transition. Either way, Zvezda can generate chances from set pieces, where Arnautović, Luckassen, Eraković, Veljković and Krunić give them a significant height advantage. Zlatanovic, East and Ahmed must give Hapoel an outlet so they do not simply defend for 90 minutes, as Crvena Zvezda have the quality to find gaps if the game becomes stretched.

What Happens Next

The winner of this tie will face either AGF Aarhus of Denmark or Sabah FC of Azerbaijan in the Champions League play-off round, the final hurdle before the lucrative league phase. For Crvena Zvezda, a place among Europe’s elite is within reach if they can handle the pressure of a must-win home leg. For Hapoel Beer Sheva, protecting a slender advantage on the road could deliver one of the biggest nights in their history.

Match Stats

Match Events

Lineups