Crvena Zvezda vs Lille Prediction and Betting Tips
Crvena Zvezda vs Lille Prediction and Betting Tips, scheduled for Thursday, February 26 2026, at 17:45 GMT. The match will be broadcast live on Discovery+ and Paramount+ from the Stadion Rajko Mitić in Belgrade. English official Anthony Taylor will referee this intense Europa League knockout fixture.
Red Star Belgrade holds a slender 1-0 advantage after a gritty performance in France. Dejan Stankovic has his squad playing with immense belief, having won six straight competitive games. In this article, you will discover Europa League Predictions from XpertStats experts for this decisive second leg.
Crvena Zvezda vs Lille Key Facts and Stats
Red Star are unbeaten in their last four home games during this Europa League campaign.
Lille have lost their last three away fixtures in this competition since late last year.
The Serbian side has successfully kept clean sheets in their previous three competitive matches played.
Stankovic has guided his team to six consecutive competitive wins during his current managerial stint.
Lille secured their first away win of 2026 with a 1-0 result against Angers recently.
Red Star has failed to win a home match against French opposition throughout this century.
Elite defense at home with only 0.5 goals conceded on average.
High average of 14.5 fouls won showing control and possession.
Solid corner production with 5.75 corners won per home game.
Excellent home PPG indicating a high level of comfort in Belgrade.
- Crvena Zvezda's Weaknesses
Low offensive efficiency with only 3.5 shots on target per match.
Aggressive playstyle resulting in an average of 2.5 cards received.
Historically poor record against French clubs in European home ties.
+ Lille's Strengths
Competitive defense away from home conceding only 1.0 goal.
Strong at winning fouls with an average of 13.25 per game.
High number of shots taken per away match averaging 12.5.
Recent away win against Angers boosting travel confidence.
- Lille's Weaknesses
Poor goal scoring record away with 0.5 goals per match.
Very aggressive defensive approach leading to 3.25 cards received.
Match Preview
The home side is enjoying a fantastic run of form. Since Dejan Stankovic returned to the bench, they have played with a level of confidence that is hard to ignore. Winning six straight games is no small feat, especially with such a compact defensive structure in Belgrade.
Defensively, they are a wall. Keeping three straight clean sheets gives them a massive mental edge. While Vladimir Lucic is suspended, having Tebo Franklin Degaulle back after his first-leg heroics is vital. He proved he can be the difference-maker in tight European nights like this.
Vasilije Kostov and Marko Arnautovic will lead the charge. Arnautovic averages 0.3 goals per 90 minutes and brings that much-needed veteran presence. If they can feed him enough balls in the box, the Serbian giants should find the back of the net at least once during the match.
Lille arrives in Serbia with a heavy burden. They need to overturn a deficit without several key players. Losing Hamza Igamane to a cruciate injury is a massive blow. He was their most prolific threat with 1.12 goals per 90 minutes this current season.
Bruno Genesio’s side did find some relief with a weekend win against Angers. That victory stopped a worrying slide away from home. Still, their recent record in the Europa League as visitors remains poor, and the atmosphere in Belgrade is notoriously difficult for visiting teams.
They must rely on experience. Olivier Giroud, averaging 0.76 goals per 90 minutes, remains a threat in the air. However, with so many injuries in the squad, finding the rhythm required for these Europa League Predictions might be too tall a task for the French side.
Lille faces a daunting Europa League playoff second leg against Red Star Belgrade at the Marakana. The stadium remains scarred following a major fire ignited by Partizan ultras during the recent Belgrade derby. Despite visible damage to the stands, roughly one hundred LOSC fans will travel to support their team. Lille must overturn a 0-1 first-leg deficit against Dejan Stankovic’s side, currently enjoying an eleven-match unbeaten streak.
Y. W. Seol, M. Veljković, S. Eraković, N. Tiknizyan
MF
T. M. Elšnik, R. Krunić O. Douglas, V. Kostov, A. Katai
FW
M. Arnautović
OUT
V. Lučić(OUT)
Lille (4-2-3-1)
Bruno Genesio
GK
B. Özer
DF
T. Santos, N. Ngoy, A. Mandi, R. Perraud
MF
A. Bouaddi, B. André G. Perrin, H. A. Haraldsson, F. Correia
FW
M. Fernandez
OUT
H. Igamane(OUT),
O. Sahraoui(OUT),
M. Caillard(QUES),
E. Mbappé(OUT),
A. Ribeiro(OUT),
O. Touré(OUT),
T. Meunier(OUT)
Referee
Anthony TAYLOR
Prediction
1X @1.50
Crvena Zvezda enters this fixture with a distinct advantage following their narrow win in the first leg. They have turned the Stadion Rajko Mitić into a fortress, remaining unbeaten in their last 4 home European outings. With a defensive record of only 0.5 goals conceded per match, they possess the stability needed to avoid defeat against a Lille side struggling for away goals.
Lille is currently plagued by a long list of injuries, missing vital attackers like Hamza Igamane. Their away form in this competition has been lackluster, suffering 3 consecutive losses on the road. Statistically, Lille only averages 0.5 goals in away matches, making it difficult to see them winning in Belgrade. Therefore, backing the home side with a double chance 1X provides great value.
Watch Crvena Zvezda vs Lille Last Match Highlights
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FAQ – Crvena Zvezda vs Lille Prediction
Who is the favorite to advance to the next round?
Red Star Belgrade are the favorites to advance after winning the first leg 1-0 and maintaining a strong home record.
Are there any major absences for this match?
Yes, Lille is missing several key players including Hamza Igamane and Ethan Mbappe, while Red Star is without the suspended Vladimir Lucic.
Where can I watch Crvena Zvezda vs Lille live?
The Crvena Zvezda vs Lille Europa League match will be broadcast live on Discovery+ and Paramount+.
What time does Crvena Zvezda vs Lille start?
Kick-off is scheduled for 17:45 (GMT) on Thursday, February 26 2026.
What was the result of the first leg?
Red Star Belgrade won the first leg 1-0 away in France thanks to a goal from Franklin Tebo.
Alexandru Florin is a football betting expert, providing tips and accumulator predictions for xpertstats.com since 2022. With a strong focus on data-driven analysis, he delivers well-researched insights and reliable advice for bettors aiming for long-term profit.
