The Matchday 2 clash of the 2025/26 Europa League group stage between Porto (Portugal) and Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) will take place on October 2 at the Dragão Stadium. Porto vs. Red Star Belgrade: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Porto
A last-minute goal secured a victory for the Portuguese side in their opening match against Salzburg. Notably, the team has scored in their last four Europa League matches. However, Porto's scoring record is modest, with the club not scoring more than once in 4 of their last 5 Europa League games. Nevertheless, they have avoided defeat in 5 of their previous 7 matches in this tournament (3 wins, 2 draws).
- No more than two goals have been scored in 5 of Porto's last 7 Europa League games.
- The team has conceded in 10 of their previous 12 home games in this tournament.
- At home, Porto has avoided defeat in 5 of their last 7 Europa League matches, winning 3.
Predicted lineup for Porto (3-4-3)
Diogo Costa – Jan Bednarek, Zaidu Sanusi, Jakub Kiwior – Victor Froholt, Alan Varela, Gabri Veiga, Pablo Rosario – Pepe Aquino, Samu Agehova, Borja Sainz.
Forward Luuk de Jong and defender Nehuen Perez are injured.
Red Star Belgrade
The Serbian team shared the points with Celtic (1-1) at home in their opening match. This draw ended an 8-match uncompromising streak in the Europa League (3 wins, 5 losses). However, their streak of conceding goals continues, as Red Star has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 10 games in this European competition. Nevertheless, the Balkan side has scored in 6 consecutive Europa League matches.
- Both teams scored in Red Star's last 6 Europa League games.
- The team is on a 4-match losing streak away in this tournament.
- In 6 of their last 7 away Europa League matches, the club has scored exactly 1 goal.
Predicted lineup for Red Star Belgrade (4-4-2)
Mateus – Sol Yeon Woo, Milos Veljkovic, Franklin Tebo, Nair Tiknizyan – Timmy Elsnik, Nemanja Radonjic, Mirko Ivanic, Tomas Hendel – Bruno Duarte, Marko Arnautovic.
Midfielder Rade Krunic is injured.
Referee
Harm Osmers (Germany)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/2025 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 48;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.3;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 33%.
Match Prediction: Porto vs. Red Star Belgrade
Porto managed to snatch a victory in their opening match just moments before the final whistle. Despite being regular participants in European competitions, the team rarely gives their fans much to celebrate. In their last 14 Europa League games, the Portuguese side has won only 4 times (5 draws, 5 losses). Even at home, their results are only slightly better. Moreover, convincing victories from Porto are rare; in only 2 of their last 7 home wins have they achieved a margin of more than one goal.
Similarly, the Serbian side has a modest presence on the international stage, though Red Star Belgrade rarely suffers heavy defeats. The team has lost 7 of their last 21 Europa League matches, but in 5 instances, the Balkans were defeated by a narrow margin. I believe the visitors will maintain a positive handicap this time. My prediction: Red Star Belgrade with a handicap (+1.5)
