If you’re looking for Larne vs Red Star Belgrade predictions, the Northern Irish champions host Serbian giants Red Star in the first leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie on Tuesday 21st July. Kick off is scheduled for 7:45pm (UK time), with Larne aiming to pull off one of the biggest European results in the club’s history.
Red Star Belgrade arrive as overwhelming favourites thanks to their wealth of Champions League experience and superior squad quality, but Larne will hope home advantage can help them keep the tie alive before next week’s return leg in Serbia. We’ve put together our Larne vs Red Star Belgrade predictions, betting tips and best odds ahead of Tuesday night’s clash.
Best Bets & Predictions
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both Teams to Score – No | 1/2 @ Betfair (66.7%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Larne have kept a clean sheet in half their games this season and conceded just once across two matches. Red Star failed to score in a quarter of their European games last campaign and may need time to adapt away from home. |
| Under 2.5 Goals | 8/11 @ Betfair (57.9%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Larne’s matches average just 2 goals (3 for, 1 against in 2 games), while Red Star’s previous group matches saw them score only 13 in 8 but concede heavily. With Larne likely to prioritise discipline, this could be a cagey first leg. |
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Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
How both teams go into Larne vs Red Star Belgrade
Larne have already come through one qualifying round after completing a comfortable aggregate victory over Tre Fiori. Gary Haveron’s side have also built strong momentum domestically, going six competitive matches without defeat while keeping five clean sheets during that run.
The challenge now steps up significantly. Larne have struggled to make an impact at home in European competition in recent seasons, winning only three of their last 13 matches at Inver Park. They have also found goals difficult to come by against stronger opposition, which makes this their toughest test yet against Red Star Belgrade.
Red Star Belgrade began their domestic campaign in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 5-0 victory over Macva Sabac. They also arrive with far greater European pedigree than Larne, having become regulars in UEFA competition over the past decade.
Although they dropped into the Europa League after narrowly missing out on the Champions League proper last season, Red Star still put together an impressive European run. Dejan Stankovic’s side are particularly difficult to beat away from home and travel to Northern Ireland looking to extend their unbeaten run on the road with another professional performance.
Potential Match-Winners
- Larne Defenders – Remarkably, two of Larne’s three goals this season have come from defenders, highlighting their threat from set pieces.
- Paul O’Neill (Larne) – The striker is the only forward to have registered a goal for Larne this campaign, and will be vital if the hosts are to snatch an advantage.
- Red Star Attack Rotation – With no current competition-leading scorer and a spread of attacking talent, Red Star may look to experienced forwards like Osman Bukari or Marko Arnautović for a moment of quality.
- Set Piece Specialists – With one of Larne’s goals coming from a penalty, dead-ball situations could play a decisive role in a tight contest.
Head-to-Head
Last 6 Meetings
These sides have met just once before, and that match ended level. There is no broader head-to-head pattern to draw from, making this a rare and unpredictable clash at this level.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 21/07/26 | Larne vs Crvena Zvezda | Champions League Qualifier |
Will Larne frustrate the favourites?
Larne’s defensive discipline and set-piece prowess give them a fighting chance to keep this first leg tight, especially against a Red Star side still finding their feet in Europe. With both teams lacking a clear attacking talisman and recent data pointing to a low-scoring draw, there could be value in backing ‘Both Teams to Score – No’ at 1/2 with Betfair (66.7% implied probability). Can Larne’s rearguard hold out against the visitors’ pedigree, or will Red Star’s experience tell over two legs?
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.