Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: BetUS
On the verge of securing their maiden Champions League group-stage appearance, Pafos FC will look to complete the task on Tuesday as they wrap up their playoff clash with Red Star Belgrade.
Holding a slender advantage from last week’s first leg, the Cypriot title holders sit just a single step from the grand stage, though Red Star retain belief that they can overturn the deficit.
Pafos FC
Silencing the famously hostile crowd at Belgrade’s ‘Marakana’, Pafos delivered a shock inside the opening minute last Tuesday, as Joao Correia struck to give the visitors the lead.
Pepe then doubled their advantage from the penalty spot shortly after the break, though Bruno Duarte quickly halved the deficit for Red Star six minutes later.
That outcome leaves the tie delicately balanced ahead of this week’s second leg in Cyprus, where Pafos have yet to begin their title defence.
Competing in the Champions League for the very first time, the 11-year-old club is only in its second season of UEFA competition, having already made history by advancing to the Conference League knockout rounds last year.
After eliminating Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dynamo Kyiv earlier this summer, before edging Red Star in Serbia, Juan Carlos Carcedo’s men are now within touching distance of Thursday’s league-phase draw — though caution will remain the message.
Team News
Domingos Quina is available again after serving a suspension in the first leg, but Carcedo is unlikely to alter much from his winning formula.
Anderson Silva and Muamer Tankovic should continue spearheading the attack, supported by Joao Correia, while Mislav Orsic and former Arsenal winger Vlad Dragomir provide further options going forward.
Red Star Belgrade
Pafos enter Tuesday’s decider on the back of an 11-game unbeaten run stretching into last season, while Red Star saw their own 15-match streak snapped in the first leg, leaving them with a difficult challenge in Limassol.
Chasing a third straight Champions League appearance, Crvena Zvezda ended last year’s inaugural league phase in 29th place, registering wins over Young Boys and Stuttgart along the way.
Winners of the European Cup in 1991, the Serbian giants had coasted through to this year’s playoff round, sweeping aside Lincoln Red Imps 6-1 on aggregate and overcoming Lech Poznan 4-2, before suffering an uncommon home defeat.
Domestically, Vladan Milojevic’s men are in fine form, holding a flawless record and a +14 goal difference after four league fixtures, their latest success a 4-1 triumph over Mladost Lucani.
Like their Cypriot opponents, Red Star were granted a weekend rest to focus entirely on Tuesday’s high-pressure showdown, ensuring both sides approach the clash fully prepared.
Team News
New arrival Marko Arnautovic may feature for Red Star at some point on Tuesday, while fellow veteran forward Aleksandar Katai comes into the clash fresh from hitting a hat-trick in his most recent league outing.
Even so, Cherif Ndiaye is expected to lead the line alongside Bruno Duarte, who has already netted four times during European qualifying.
In addition, Vladan Milojevic welcomes back Brazilian defender Rodrigao and former AC Milan midfielder Rade Krunic following their UEFA suspensions, while Nemanja Radonjic is fit enough to take a place on the bench, giving the visitors a major boost in squad depth.
Conclusion
Barely more than 10 years after their formation, Pafos stand on the brink of history, with the chance to qualify for the Champions League’s main phase at the first time of asking.
Their resilient display in Belgrade showed they have what it takes to overcome Red Star, though the decisive leg in Cyprus may still produce plenty of drama before their fate is sealed. It may even leave the tie undecided after 180 minutes.
Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: BetUS
