Liam Duckstein
The UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round brings a fascinating cross-continental clash as Israeli side Hapoel Beer Sheva host Serbian giants Crvena Zvezda on August 4. The match takes place at Haladas Sportkomplexum in Szombathely, a neutral ground that adds an interesting dynamic to the fixture. Crvena Zvezda arrive as clear favorites based on both bookmaker expectation and recent form, but Hapoel have already shown resilience in the earlier qualifying rounds by eliminating Vikingur Reykjavik on aggregate.
Two players are worth watching closely. Kings Kangwa has been Hapoel’s most productive midfielder in recent games, registering two goals and an assist across his last three appearances. For Crvena Zvezda, Vasilije Kostov has been nothing short of prolific, scoring four goals in just three matches and leading the line with real authority.
The hot stat from this run of form: Crvena Zvezda scored 17 goals across their last five matches, an average of 3.4 per game. That kind of output is difficult to contain for any side.
| 🏆 Tournament: | UEFA Champions League 2026/27, Third Qualifying Round |
| 🏟 Venue: | Haladas Sportkomplexum, Szombathely |
| 🗓️ Date: | 04.08.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 19:30 CEST |
Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Crvena Zvezda Prediction
Crvena Zvezda are the obvious pick here. Their form over the past month is strong, winning four of their last six matches, and their attacking output has been relentless. Hapoel Beer Sheva have won just one of their last five games, losing three. The gap in quality is reflected in the bookmakers’ numbers, and we agree with the market direction.
Crvena Zvezda win looks like the standout bet at odds around 1.87 to 1.91 depending on the bookmaker. The value is reasonable given the Serbian side’s dominance in recent outings and their firepower in attack.
Hapoel Beer Sheva have been a relatively foul-heavy side in attack, committing ten fouls across their last five matches while generating only 32 total shots. Their pass accuracy is poor at roughly 85% of 425 recorded passes, and they have struggled to sustain pressure. Crvena Zvezda, by contrast, are a possession-oriented team, moving the ball through 1,126 passes at an accuracy rate of nearly 89%. They also registered 98 total shots and 23 interceptions, showing both offensive and defensive engagement. The style mismatch favors the Serbian outfit.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Crvena Zvezda to score over 2.5 goals |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
Hapoel Beer Sheva come into this tie on the back of a mixed qualifying campaign. They lost the first leg against Vikingur Reykjavik 1-2, then reversed the tie with a 2-0 win in the second leg to advance. Before that, they suffered a 1-3 defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv and another 1-3 loss to Legia. Their lone positive result outside the Vikingur second leg was a 2-2 draw with Omonia Nicosia. Over their last five fixtures, they scored just four goals while conceding ten, which tells a clear story about their defensive fragility.
Crvena Zvezda have been in outstanding touch at the attacking end. They beat Larne 4-0 and 5-0 across two legs to progress comfortably. A 3-1 win over Vojvodina and a 5-0 demolition of Macva further underline their domestic dominance. Their only blip was a 1-3 home defeat to Zenit, but that result sits as an outlier against a broader backdrop of dominant performances. Dejan Stankovic’s side has rotated regularly, with multiple players contributing goals across the squad.
Most Recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | Hapoel Beer Sheva | Crvena Zvezda |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 0 | 0 |
🚨Check out our dedicated Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Crvena Zvezda stats page for more info.
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: Crvena Zvezda the Favourite
- Moneyline Hapoel Beer Sheva 3.90 | Crvena Zvezda 1.88
- Draw 3.65
- Over/Under Over 2.5 — | Under 2.5 —
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes — | No —
Crvena Zvezda’s odds hovering around 1.87 to 1.91 across major bookmakers reflect their status as heavy favorites. The draw odds in the 3.40 to 3.86 range suggest bookmakers see little chance of stalemate, given how attack-minded both sides are. Hapoel’s odds at 3.50 to 4.00 are generous for a side that has looked vulnerable defensively, and we would not recommend backing them at this stage. The Crvena Zvezda win at around 1.88 offers the clearest path to a return.
Hapoel Beer Sheva. Source: Official Facebook
Possible Starting Lineups
Hapoel Beer Sheva Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Ofir Marciano
- DF: Miguel Vitor, Matan Baltaksa, Ofir Davidzada, Guy Mizrahi
- MF: Kings Kangwa, Lucas de Souza Ventura, Eilel Peretz
- FW: Igor Zlatanović, Amir Chaim Ganah, Yoan Stoyanov
Ran Kozuch is likely to set up in a 4-3-3 shape, consistent with their recent fixtures. Ofir Marciano starts in goal, where he has made four saves across three appearances. Kings Kangwa is the player to watch in midfield, carrying the biggest attacking threat from that line. Up front, Zlatanović and Ganah provide the most consistent presence, though the attack as a unit has lacked cutting edge. Lucas de Souza Ventura and Eilel Peretz anchor the middle with a combined ten yellow cards between them in recent games, suggesting a physical approach.
Crvena Zvezda Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Matheus
- DF: Strahinja Erakovic, Seol Young-woo, Franklin Tebo Uchenna
- MF: Mohammad Abu Fani, Nayair Tiknizyan, Timi Elsnik, Aleksandar Katai, Mirko Ivanić
- FW: Vasilije Kostov, Bruno Duarte Da Silva
Dejan Stankovic should line up in his preferred 4-3-3 formation. Matheus is the first-choice goalkeeper, having started four of the last five matches. Strahinja Erakovic anchors the back line and has been reliable with 162 passes and a near-perfect accuracy rate. In attack, Vasilije Kostov and Bruno Duarte Da Silva form a dangerous partnership, combining for seven goals and four assists in recent fixtures. Aleksandar Katai adds creativity from deeper positions, having recorded three assists across four games. Marko Arnautović provides a physical option off the bench if needed.
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Crvena Zvezda. Source: Official Facebook
TipsGG Match Prediction
We predict a Crvena Zvezda win in this Champions League qualifier. The Serbian side have been scoring freely, defending reasonably well, and rotating a squad deep enough to sustain quality across 90 minutes. Hapoel Beer Sheva have heart, as their comeback win over Vikingur showed, but their defensive numbers are concerning and their overall squad depth is thinner by comparison.
The stats back this up clearly. Crvena Zvezda’s 98 total shots versus Hapoel’s 32 over the same number of games is a striking gap. Their pass volume and accuracy also point to a team that controls games rather than chasing them. We expect Crvena Zvezda to score at least twice, with Hapoel potentially grabbing one on the counter. A 2-1 or 3-1 scoreline feels like the most natural outcome, and backing Crvena Zvezda to win combined with both teams to score offers the best value on the night.
