Red Star Belgrade will take on Stuttgart in the Champions League on Wednesday, 27 November with both teams in desperate need of a win to boost their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition.
The hosts are one of five teams yet to pick up a point in the Champions League this season and looking at their remaining fixture, this is one of their best opportunities to ensure they don't finish on zero points after the league phase.
Stuttgart, meanwhile, aren't faring much better. The German side are currently outside the top 24 after picking up just four points from their opening four matches in the elite.
How the bookies view it: The visitors start as favourites
Stuttgart go into this match as favourites and the Germans will be hoping that the bookies are right as they look to get their Champions League campaign back on track. Betfred have priced a win for Stuttgart at 7/10 while a victory for Red Star Belgrade has been priced at 18/5. The draw, which wouldn't suit either team, has been priced at 3/1.
Recent head-to-head: A first-ever meeting
This will be the first time that Red Star Belgrade have ever faced Stuttgart before which adds an extra layer of intrigue to the fixture. Red Star's record against other German clubs at home is quite impressive, though, with a win rate of over 50% in 20 matches against Bundesliga outfits.
Players to watch: A new Bosnian scoring sensation to flex his muscles in Europe
For the past 15 years, Edin Dzeko has flown the flag for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the football world but with the Fenerbahce man nearing the end of his career, a new Bosnian striker has taken over the mantle in the form of Ermedin Demirovic.
The 26-year-old isn't exactly a young buck but his development has made him somewhat of a late bloomer and Stuttgart and now reaping the rewards. Signed from Augsburg after netting 15 Bundesliga goals last season, Demirovic has already scored six goals in all competitions for his new club but he is yet to make his mark in Europe.
Demirovic hasn't found the back of the net in the Champions League so far this season and that will need to change if Stuttgart are to progress to the knockout stages. Can he break his European duck on Wednesday evening?
Predicted line-ups
Red Star had the weekend off due to heavy snowfall in Serbia so will be well-rested for this one. The match will still come too soon for Peter Olayinka, however, as he continues to nurse an achilles problem. Stuttgart have injury problems of their own with El Bilal Toure and Deniz Undav their most notable absentees.
Red Star Belgrade: M.Ilic – Young-woo, Spajic, Djiga, Rodic – Elsnik, Krunic – Silas, Maksimovic, L.Ilic – Ndiaye
Swansea City: Nubel – Stergiou, Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstadt – Stiller, Karazor – Rieder, Millot, Fuhrich – Demirovic
Anything else catch the eye?
A total of 28 goals have been scored across Red Star's last four matches in all competitions which works out at an average of four goals per match. Over 3.5 goals to be scored on Wednesday has been priced at 6/4 by Betfred.
This UEFA Champions League match between Red Star Belgrade and Stuttgart will be played on Nov 27, 2024 and kick off at 17:45. Check below for our tipsters best Red Star Belgrade vs Stuttgart prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
