UEFA Champions League second qualifying round continues as Serbian champions FK Crvena Zvezda (also known as Red Star Belgrade) take on minnows Lincoln Red Imps, champions of Gibraltar.
The first leg ended 1-0 to the Serbian champions despite them getting an early red card in the 41st minute when the Korean RB Seol Young-Woo was sent off for violent conduct.
Mirko Ivanic made a brilliant run through the midfield and played a gorgeous through ball to Bruno Duarte who calmly slotted over the keeper to give the Serbs the lead.
It was an underwhelming performance from the Serbs given the stark difference between the two sides. The Serbian giants displayed their might as they hammered OFK Beograd on Saturday 7-1 in the Serbian league.
Given how well Lincoln performed and their relatively weak squad, there are expected to be no changes and for Red Star besides Lekovic filling in for the Korean RB.
Red Star Belgrade predicted starting lineup: Matheus; Tiknizyan, Veljkovic, Milosavljevic, Lekovic; Elsnic, Krunic, Ivanic; Katai, Wilson, Bruno
Lincoln Red Imps predicted starting lineup: Santana; Nano, Rutjens, Lopes, Munoz; Torilla, Toni; Britto, De Barr, Victor; Gomez
The current head-to-head record for the teams are FK Crvena Zvezda 1 win, Lincoln Red Imps FC 0 win, and 0 draw as they have only met once before in the first leg.
Given the 1-0 score line and the spine chilling atmosphere at the Stadion Rajko Mitić, Lincoln will hope they can be as strong as a rock at the back and force a defensive error or lapse in concentration and strike on the counter.
Lincoln have never managed to get past the second round of the UEFA champions league qualifiers. A visit to the Rajko Mitić is as tough as they come. It feels like their fate is already sealed before the whistle has even blown for kick off.
Prediction: Red Star Belgrade to win.
The action starts on Tue, Jul 29, 2025, 19:00 GMT at the Stadion Rajko Mitić.
