Red Star Belgrade vs PSV Eindhoven
UEFA Champions League, KO: 20:00 Jan 21, 2025, Stadion Rajko Mitic
PSV Eindhoven are aiming to strengthen their push for the playoff places as they face Red Star Belgrade in the UEFA Champions League. The Serbians are looking solid at the moment but have been poor in Europe and are likely to struggle against the experienced Dutch giants.
It has not been a smooth Champions League campaign for Red Star Belgrade who have lost five of their six matches so far, including a 2-1 defeat to AC Milan last time out. They are not exactly out of contention for the playoffs but need to win on Tuesday to keep their hopes alive.
Red Star will go into Tuesday’s match with some confidence having won their last eight matches in all competitions, although the last four have been friendlies. Vladan Milojevic’s men have also won their last five home matches, a run that includes a 5-1 Champions League victory over Stuttgart.
PSV Eindhoven have been much better than the hosts in the Champions League and are unbeaten in four of their six matches and are just inside the playoff places. Peter Bosz’s men lost 2-1 at Brest last time out but had won the previous two fixtures.
The Dutch side have been in good form lately and are unbeaten in 10 of their last 13 matches in all competitions, winning seven in that run. They have won nine times in that run but will travel to Belgrade off the back of a 3-1 Eredivisie defeat at Zwolle on Saturday.
How the bookies view it: PSV overwhelming favourites
PSV Eindhoven have been installed as overwhelming favourites and are priced at 3/4 by BoyleSports to claim the win. Red Star Belgrade are considered outsiders, with BoyleSports offering 14/5 for a home win while a draw is set at odds of 29/10.
Head to head: Little to separate them
Red Star Belgrade and PSV Eindhoven have only met twice before during the 2004-05 Champions League. The Serbians won 3-2 at home while the Dutch side eased to a 5-0 victory in the reverse fixture.
Players to watch: Prolific Dutch attack
Ricardo Pepi continues to impress for PSV Eindhoven and has scored four times in the last five matches in all competitions. The Dutch side also have Luuk de Jong and Guus Til in attack and can produce over 1.5 goals at 11/20 with BoyleSports.
Red Star Belgrade also have some attacking quality of their own with Cherif Ndiaye scoring three goals in the last two matches. The striker will have support from Bruno Duarte and both men can ensure the hosts produce over 0.5 goals at 2/7 with BoyleSports.
Probable line-ups
Ndiaye should lead the line once again for Red Star Belgrade with Duarte providing support. Rade Krunic should retain his place in midfield while Vanja Drukusic is set to continue in the heart of the defence.
Sergino Dest is still sidelined with injury and will miss out for PSV Eindhoven. Pepi came off the bench at Zwolle and could be handed a start on Tuesday. Matteo Dams should return to the defence after sitting out last weekend’s Eredivisie match.
Red Star Belgrade: Gutesa, Rodic, Drkusic, Djiga, Mimovic, Elsnik, Krunic, Milson, Duarte, Ilic, Ndiaye
PSV Eindhoven: Benitez, Dams, Boscagli, Flamingo, Ledezma, Schouten, Veerman, Til, Perisic, Pepi, de Jong
Anything else catch the eye?
Red Star Belgrade have seen over 3.5 goals in their last seven matches in all competitions and a repeat is priced at 6/5 with BoyleSports. PSV have seen more goals after the break in two of their last three matches and a similar outcome is priced at 10/11 with BoyleSports.
With more goals expected after the break, both teams can be backed to score in the second half at 13/10 with BoyleSports.
This UEFA Champions League match between Red Star Belgrade and PSV Eindhoven will be played on Jan 21, 2025 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Red Star Belgrade vs PSV Eindhoven prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
