For Red Star Belgrade, this match represents a chance to salvage some pride in a tournament where they have yet to earn a point. Despite heavy defeats against top clubs, the hosts will aim to deliver a respectable performance in front of their fans. On the other hand, Stuttgart face a crucial need to win to continue their pursuit of a playoff berth.
Red Star Belgrade find themselves in a difficult position: no points from four matches and a goal difference of −12. However, they do not appear completely ineffective in attack; the team managed to score in home games against Benfica and Barcelona. Remarkably, the Serbian side have found the net in all of their last 11 home matches in the Champions League. Against teams such as Manchester City, RB Leipzig, and Young Boys, they carved out chances to score, even when results didn't go in their favour. The main issue for the club lies in their defence, conceding an average of four goals per match, which is significantly high.
Meanwhile, Stuttgart are on an upward trajectory both in the Champions League and the Bundesliga. Following an important away victory against Juventus (1:0), they have gained confidence. The Germans are known for their organised play up front, creating 7.1 expected goals (xG) over four matches, showcasing their ability to generate chances against strong opponents. Nonetheless, their defence is far from perfect, conceding an average of 1.5 goals per game and achieving just one clean sheet against Juventus.
This game promises to be open and high-scoring. Red Star Belgrade traditionally perform well offensively at home, while Stuttgart boast a quality attack but show vulnerability in defense. Given both clubs' intent to find the net, we confidently predict a bet on "Both Teams to Score" will be successful.
