The first match of the 2025/26 Champions League second qualifying round between Lincoln Red Imps (Gibraltar) and Crvena Zvezda (Serbia) will take place on July 22 at the Europa Point Stadium. Lincoln Red Imps vs. Crvena Zvezda: prediction and statistics.
Lincoln Red Imps
In the first round, the club faced Vikingur from the Faroe Islands and did not encounter significant problems, winning both encounters (3-2 and 1-0). As a result, the team achieved two consecutive victories in the Champions League for the first time in their history. Notably, the club has reached the second qualifying round for the fifth time in its Champions League history, but the Gibraltarians have never advanced further.
- No more than three goals have been scored in regular time in the team's last six home matches in the Champions League.
- The club has not conceded more than two goals in 90 minutes in their last 13 home matches in this European competition.
- Gibraltarians have scored in regular time in 8 of their last 10 home games in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Lincoln Red Imps (4-3-3)
Nauset Santana – Mariano Maroto, Rafael Benavides, Oliva Rutjens, Ethan Britto – Antonio Montero, Bernardo Lopes, Graeme Torilla – Enrique Bernal, Tjay De Barr, Victor Morales.
Crvena Zvezda
The team won the Serbian championship last season and starts its current Champions League campaign from the second qualifying round. Crvena Zvezda is participating in this European competition for the eighth consecutive time, and in the last two editions of the Champions League, they played in the main tournament. Last season, the Serbs collected six points from eight matches in the group stage and did not advance to the playoffs. Notably, the club's scoring streak in the Champions League is six matches.
- The team has lost in regular time in 8 of their last 9 away matches in the Champions League.
- The club scored exactly once in 90 minutes in 6 of their last 8 away games in this European competition.
- At least three goals have been scored in regular time in 7 of the Serbs' last 9 away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Crvena Zvezda (4-3-3)
Mateus – Sol Yeon Woo, Milos Veljkovic, Rodrigao, Nair Tiknizyan – Timi Elsnik, Aleksandar Katai, Rade Krunic – Milson, Sheriff Ndiaye, Mirko Ivanic.
Referee
Damian Kos (Poland)
Matches – 6 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 27;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.5;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 33%.
Lincoln Red Imps vs. Crvena Zvezda: Match Prediction
The Gibraltarians confidently overcame the Faroese Vikingur in the first round and are determined to challenge Crvena Zvezda. At home, Lincoln Red Imps have never suffered a heavy defeat in the Champions League and have often been effective in attack. In the last ten matches in this European competition, the team left the field without scoring only twice, and in three matches during this period, they scored at least twice.
The Serbs are likely to breach the Gibraltarians' defense at least once: Crvena Zvezda is considered the clear favorite in this matchup and regularly scores in the Champions League, even away from home. In the last ten away games in this tournament, the club failed to score only twice – in matches against Young Boys and Inter Milan. Meanwhile, in 8 of their last 9 away matches in the Champions League, the team has conceded, and each time at least two goals.
I expect a productive game from both opponents, so my prediction: Both teams to score – Yes
