Maccabi Haifa FC vs Red Star Belgrade Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 14/08/2022, 04:17  by Ioannis | Modified on 17/08/2022 at 07:00 in Champions League Prediction

Maccabi Haifa host Red Star Belgrade at the Sammy Ofer Stadium, in what should be a cracking game for the play-offs of this year’s Champions League. The Israeli side are turning into this campaign's surprise package. After eliminating experienced Greek side Olympiacos by beating them 4-0 away from home, they also dismantled Apollon Limassol 4-0 at home, in a result that ensured their qualification to the play-offs despite their 2-0 loss in the replay. Maccabi are certainly benefitting from their league not having started yet, as a week’s rest at this time of the season can be crucial. Another key aspect that could tilt the game in their favour is home advantage. The Haifa side have made their stadium a fortress, losing just once there in normal time in their last twenty encounters. They have also won two and drawn one of their last four European home games, losing just to Union Berlin in that sequence.  

Red Star did not have too many issues eliminating Armenian side Pyunik in the last round, beating them 7-0 on aggregate. The visitors are on a great run of form at the moment, having won every competitive game they have played so far this season, with seven straight wins and six clean sheets in those games. They performed admirably in last year’s Europa League group stages, finishing first ahead of Braga, yet were eliminated at the first hurdle after that, losing out to eventual finalists Rangers. Despite having won seven of their last eight away games, Red Star have just won one of their last three away in Europe and they could struggle in a tough ground such as the Sammy Ofer.