The second leg of the Champions League 2025/26 qualification playoff between Pafos (Cyprus) and Crvena Zvezda (Serbia) will take place on August 26 at Limassol Stadium. The score of the first match was 2-1 in favor of Pafos. Pafos vs. Crvena Zvezda: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Pafos
In the first encounter, Juan Carlos Carcedo's side won away with a score of 2-1. As a result, Pafos, participating in the Champions League for the first time, extended their winning streak in this European competition to four matches. However, the Cypriots failed to keep a clean sheet for the first time in this stretch. Now, to advance to the main stage of the tournament, the team only needs to avoid defeat over 90 minutes.
- The club has not lost in regular time in their last five Champions League matches (4 wins, 1 draw).
- No more than two goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 4 of the team's last 5 matches in this European competition.
- The Cypriots scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in regular time in their last five Champions League games.
Predicted lineup for Pafos (4-3-3)
Neofytos Michael – David Gomez Goldar, Derrick Luckassen, Kostas Pileas, Joao Correia – Ivan Sunjic, Vlad Dragomir, Pepe Rodrigues – Bruno, Muamer Tankovic, Anderson Oliveira Silva.
Participation of defender Joao Correia and forward Muamer Tankovic is in doubt due to injuries sustained in the first match.
Crvena Zvezda
After losing the previous match, the team suffered their first defeat in six previous Champions League games (4 wins, 1 draw). Moreover, Crvena Zvezda conceded more than one goal for the first time in this stretch. However, the club managed to extend their scoring streak in the Champions League to 11 matches. To advance to the main stage, the Serbians need to win by at least two goals over 90 minutes, and in the case of a one-goal victory, extra time will be played. Notably, the team participated in the main draw of the Champions League in the last two seasons.
- The club lost in regular time in 8 of their last 11 away Champions League games.
- At least three goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 5 of the team's last 7 away matches in this European competition.
- The Serbians conceded at least two goals in regular time in 8 of their last 11 away Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Crvena Zvezda (4-5-1)
Mateus – Sol Yeon U, Milos Veljkovic, Veljko Milosavljevic, Nair Tiknizyan – Mahmoud Baggio, Peter Olayinka, Mirko Ivanic, Timi Elsnik, Xavi Babika – Sherif Ndiaye.
Referee
Michael Oliver (England)
Matches – 17 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 71;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.2;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 35%.
Match Prediction: Pafos vs. Crvena Zvezda
The Cypriots achieved an excellent result in the away game and will likely prioritize a solid defensive performance at home. In this Champions League campaign, Pafos has already demonstrated reliable defensive actions: the team conceded just two goals in their last five matches in this tournament, keeping three clean sheets. Furthermore, in their last ten home games in European competitions, the club has not conceded more than one goal, managing to keep a clean sheet seven times during this period.
Crvena Zvezda couldn't score more than one goal against Pafos even at home, and their overall away performance is not particularly high-scoring. In their last ten away Champions League encounters, the Serbians only managed to breach the opponent's defense more than once on one occasion and failed to score in two matches. It's also worth noting that in this Champions League campaign, the club scored only one goal in an away match against Lincoln Red Imps from Gibraltar.
I believe Pafos is capable of holding off the opponent's attack and not conceding more than one goal in regular time. My prediction: Crvena Zvezda individual total under 1.5
