Europe - Champions League
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by Sridhar Bhamidi in Champions League Predictions
One step away from the league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, Red Star Belgrade will hope for home comforts against Pafos in the play-off round. This first-leg match will be played on Tuesday in Serbia, with the Cypriot visitors expected to test the hosts, and our prediction is for both teams to score.
The Belgrade club are looking to reach the Champions League proper for the fifth time and for a third campaign in a row. They defeated Lincoln Red Imps and Lech Poznan in the two qualifying rounds and are hoping for a lift from the home crowd. The Cypriots are playing in their first Champions League campaign and are looking to become the third team from their nation to reach the Champions League proper.
Pafos overcame the challenge of Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dynamo Kyiv in their two qualifying rounds to reach this stage and will be confident of stretching the hosts. Can the visitors continue their dream run and surprise the experienced Red Star? Read on to learn more about the two clubs, their team news, and our match predictions.
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The Best Betting Odds for Red Star Belgrade v Pafos FC Match
| Bookmaker | 1 | X | 2 | Bonus up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1.7 | 3.9 | 4.75 |
|
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1.67 | 4 | 5 |
|
|
1.67 | 3.75 | 4.6 |
|
|
1.7 | 3.8 | 4.33 |
|
|
1.61 | 4.2 | 4.8 |
|
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What is the prediction for the football match between Red Star Belgrade and Pafos FC?
Our prediction for the Red Star Belgrade vs Pafos FC match is: both teams to score.
Probabilities according to our algorithm* of possible 1X2 football predictions and best odds for the match on 19/08/2025 between Red Star Belgrade and Pafos FC in Champions League :
- The Sportytrader ⭐ algorithm estimates a probability of 40.67% for a win of Red Star Belgrade against Pafos FC with odds of 1.7 at Bet365.
- The probability according to Sportytrader ⭐ for a draw between Red Star Belgrade vs Pafos FC is 40.34% with odds of 4.2 at Unibet.
- Our prediction model gives a 18.99% chance ⭐ for a win of Pafos FC vs Red Star Belgrade with odds of 5 at Betfred.
Red Star Belgrade vs Pafos FC Form
Red Star Belgrade and Pafos FC Last Matches
5/6 (83%)
1/6 (17%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
15 Aug 2025 - Serbian Super Liga
12 Aug 2025 - Champions League
9 Aug 2025 - Serbian Super Liga
6 Aug 2025 - Champions League
29 Jul 2025 - Champions League
26 Jul 2025 - Serbian Super Liga
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
12 Aug 2025 - Champions League
9 Aug 2025 - Serbian Super Liga
29 Jul 2025 - Champions League
26 Jul 2025 - Serbian Super Liga
19 Jul 2025 - Serbian Super Liga
13 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
5/6 (83%)
1/6 (17%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
15 Aug 2025 - Serbian Super Liga
6 Aug 2025 - Champions League
22 Jul 2025 - Champions League
10 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
9 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
4 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
12 Aug 2025 - Champions League
5 Aug 2025 - Champions League
30 Jul 2025 - Champions League
22 Jul 2025 - Champions League
13 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
11 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
5/6 (83%)
1/6 (17%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
12 Aug 2025 - Champions League
22 Jul 2025 - Champions League
11 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
18 May 2025 - Cyta Championship
4 May 2025 - Cyta Championship
30 Apr 2025 - Cyprus Cup
2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
5 Aug 2025 - Champions League
30 Jul 2025 - Champions League
13 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
5 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies
24 May 2025 - Cyprus Cup
12 May 2025 - Cyta Championship
Red Star Belgrade - Pafos FC: Form Analysis
Red Star won 4-1 away at Mladost in their domestic league to make it four wins out of four in that competition. It has also extended their unbeaten run to eight matches in all competitions (W7, D1).
That includes three wins and a draw in this competition, having defeated Red Imps 6-1 by aggregate and then overcoming Lech Poznan 4-2 by aggregate in the previous two qualifiers. That drew against Poznan remains their only failure to win in their last five home competitive games this season.
Pafos lost only three of their recent 15 games in Europe (W9, D3, L3).
That includes three wins and a draw in this year's Champions League qualifiers, having defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv (2-1 by aggregate) and Dynamo Kyiv (3-0 by aggregate).
Both those ties saw them win 1-0 away from home, so the Cypriots can't be taken lightly. In fact, their last three European games have seen them keep clean sheets, so Pafos will look to keep their shape on this trip.
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Red Star Belgrade & Pafos FC Squad Analysis
Red Star have been rotating their squad between domestic and continental competitions, so expect the hosts to get back to their best XI. That should see the likes of Matheus Magalhaes, Cherif Ndiaye, and Bruno Duarte get back into the team.
That could mean Ndiaye starting as the lone striker in their 4-2-3-1 formation with Duarte slotting right behind him. He could be key for Red Star's chances, as he scored three goals in the Champions League qualifiers.
Rodrigao and Rade Krunic are out for Red Star due to suspension.
Pafos will also be without Domingos Quina, who serves a ban. The Cypriots lined up in a 4-2-1-3 formation in their previous qualifier, and that could mean some exciting action.
Vlad Dragomir is still looking for his first goal in this competition this season, but operating from the right flank, Mislav Orsic picked up a goal and an assist in their last fixture. He could once again be crucial for Pafos' chances if they want to keep the tie alive going into next week's second leg.
Red Star Belgrade - Pafos FC Key Points
- In eight of Red Star’s last ten UEFA matches, both teams scored goals.
- In five of their last six matches in all competitions this season, Red Star saw goals scored by both teams.
- Three of Red Star’s last four home matches in all competitions saw both teams score goals.
- This is the first UEFA match between Red Star and Pafos.
- Pafos scored in 11 of their last 12 matches in UEFA competitions including all four games in these qualifiers.
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Our Red Star Belgrade vs Pafos FC Prediction
Pafos have done well in their debut Champions League campaign push, as they come into the playoffs with three consecutive wins accompanied by a clean sheet. Red Star will be a tough opponent, though, considering their European pedigree and recent success in scoring goals. The hosts will fancy their chances of picking up a win here and taking a lead to the second leg.
Both teams have been in impressive scoring form in recent weeks, and that could continue here. Our Red Star Belgrade vs Pafos FC prediction is both teams to score.
Red Star Belgrade vs Pafos FC - Other Interesting Predictions
Red Star Belgrade wins the match
Red Star comes into this fixture with seven wins across their last eight matches in all competitions, while drawing the other. Pafos have good form boosting their chances ahead of this trip, but it's the hosts who look good to take a lead to the second leg. Back Red Star to win, and you can look to mix it with BTTS, which is our primary pick.
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Red Star Belgrade vs Pafos FC match : Frequently asked questions
The Red Star Belgrade vs Pafos FC UEFA Champions League match is shown on TNT Sports and Amazon Prime Video in the UK.
You can follow the game through our live scores. Check out our UEFA Champions League Livescore page!
Red Star have played nine times against teams from Cyprus and have three wins and six draws so far.
Pafos are facing a Serbian team for the first time, so this trip will be a new experience for them.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
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