Liam Duckstein
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Crvena Zvezda and Viktoria Plzen meet at the Rajko Mitić Stadion in Belgrade for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League 2026/27 Playoffs tie. Red Star are heavy favorites at home, but Plzen arrive in an interesting position: they are statistically one of the most pass-heavy sides in this phase of the competition, and their ability to control possession could make this a tighter contest than the odds suggest.
Two players stand out heading into this match. Aleksandar Katai has been directly involved in five goals across his last five appearances for Crvena Zvezda, combining two goals with three assists, making him the creative engine Albert Riera’s side runs through. For the visitors, Christopher Kabongo leads Plzen’s attack with three goals in four matches and has shown a sharp instinct inside the box that Martin Hysky will want to exploit on the counter.
A stat that catches the eye: Viktoria Plzen racked up a staggering 5-5 draw against Teplice in their most recent domestic outing, a result that raises real questions about defensive stability even as it highlights their attacking intent.
| 🏆 Tournament: | UEFA Europa League 2026/27, Playoffs |
| 🏟 Venue: | Rajko Mitić Stadion, Belgrade |
| 🗓️ Date: | 20.08.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 20:00 CEST |
Crvena Zvezda vs Viktoria Plzen Prediction
Red Star at home in European playoffs is a familiar and formidable picture. They carry a 67% win rate over the last 30 days and across the full year, and the Rajko Mitić atmosphere adds another layer of pressure for visiting sides. We predict a Crvena Zvezda win here, with the Serbian champions having enough quality and home advantage to take control of this tie in the first leg.
Plzen’s defensive record is the main concern for their backers. They conceded three to Slovan Liberec and shipped five against Teplice in recent weeks. Red Star’s attack, led by Arnautović, Bukari, and Katai, has the variety to punish that kind of vulnerability.
On the style front, the contrast between these two sides is sharp. Crvena Zvezda play a more direct, aggressive game: 94 total shots across five matches, 19 fouls, and 25 corners. Plzen, by comparison, are a possession-oriented team with 1,847 passes logged and a significantly higher foul count of 54. That fouling tendency from Plzen, combined with their six yellow cards, suggests Red Star will earn set-piece opportunities in dangerous areas. Plzen’s discipline could become a problem as the match wears on, and Red Star’s 25 corners from recent games shows how well they exploit wide pressure.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Crvena Zvezda to win & Both Teams to Score |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 9.5 |
Team Analysis
Crvena Zvezda’s recent form has been mixed but still productive. They won four of their last six matches, though two losses crept in. The most telling result was their 0-2 defeat to Hapoel Beer Sheva, which came just days after a 5-0 win over Larne in the previous European round. That inconsistency in big matches is worth noting. Their domestic form has been more reliable, with a 3-1 win over Vojvodina and a 2-0 victory against Novi Pazar showing they can dominate Serbian competition comfortably. The squad depth across the forward line is clear, with Arnautović, Bukari, and Loizou all contributing goals in recent outings.
Viktoria Plzen arrive with a 25% win rate over the last 30 days, picking up just one win from four matches. Their most recent result was a 3-2 win over Zlin, which followed that wild 5-5 draw with Teplice and a 1-1 stalemate against Brno. The Teplice draw is the result that defines their current defensive state most honestly: they can score goals, but they simply cannot keep them out reliably. Kabongo’s three goals and Hrošovský’s consistent midfield presence give them real offensive tools, but a trip to Belgrade demands more defensive solidity than they have shown lately.
🚨Check out our dedicated Crvena Zvezda vs Viktoria Plzen stats page for more info.
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: Crvena Zvezda the Favourite
- Moneyline Crvena Zvezda 1.67 | Viktoria Plzen 4.10
- Draw 4.00
The odds paint a clear picture: Red Star are strong favorites at around 1.67, and that price is fair given their home record and year-long form. Plzen at 4.10 represents a significant underdog price, though their attacking output in recent weeks means writing them off entirely would be a mistake. The draw at 4.00 looks overpriced given the attacking intent both sides have shown. To be honest, the most interesting value here sits in the Both Teams to Score market, given Plzen’s goals-for record and Red Star’s occasional defensive lapses against quality opponents.
Possible Starting Lineups
Crvena Zvezda Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Matheus
- DF: Seol Young-woo, Strahinja Erakovic, Franklin Tebo Uchenna, Nayair Tiknizyan
- MF: Timi Elsnik, Mohammad Abu Fani, Muhammed Cham Saracevic, Aleksandar Katai
- FW: Marko Arnautović, Osman Bukari
Matheus has been the first-choice goalkeeper across the five tracked matches and is the clear starter. The back four picks itself based on appearance counts, with Seol Young-woo and Erakovic as the most reliable defensive options. In midfield, Elsnik and Abu Fani provide the defensive structure in a 4-2-3-1 shape, while Katai operates in the attacking midfield role where he has been most dangerous. Arnautović and Bukari lead the line, both bringing goals in recent outings. Katai is the player to watch: his combination of goals and assists makes him the most direct threat to Plzen’s backline.
Viktoria Plzen Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Florian Wiegele
- DF: Sampson Dweh, Karel Spáčil, Filip Prebsl, Merchas Doski
- MF: Patrik Hrošovský, Lukáš Červ, Alexandr Sojka, Cheick Souare
- FW: Christopher Kabongo, Amar Memić
Wiegele has started four of the five tracked matches and is the established number one. Plzen’s 4-2-3-1 shape mirrors Red Star’s, with Hrošovský anchoring the midfield alongside Červ. Dweh is a versatile presence at the back with eight interceptions and a goal to his name. Up front, Kabongo is the primary finisher with three goals from four appearances, and Memić provides a creative link with two assists. Hrošovský’s combination of goals, assists, and 165 passes makes him the player who controls the tempo for Plzen when they are at their best.
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Crvena Zvezda. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
The Verdict
Crvena Zvezda are the team to back here. Their home record, attacking depth, and superior win rate across both the last 30 days and the full season point clearly in one direction. Plzen have goals in them, as their recent matches prove, but their defensive fragility is too pronounced to trust against a Red Star side playing at the Rajko Mitić.
We predict a Crvena Zvezda win with both teams scoring. Red Star’s set-piece threat, generated by their corner count and the free kicks Plzen will inevitably give away, gives Albert Riera’s side multiple routes to goal. Plzen’s attacking quality through Kabongo and Memić means they are capable of getting on the scoresheet, but they are unlikely to leave Belgrade with a result.
Our best tip for this match is Crvena Zvezda to win and Both Teams to Score, with Over 2.5 goals as a supporting selection backed by the attacking stats from both sides across recent weeks.
