Crvena Zvezda and Lille face off in a high-stakes Europa League clash, with the Serbian side holding a perfect head-to-head record over their French visitors.
The match kicks off at Rajko Mitić Stadium on Thursday, 26 February, at 17:45. With both teams hoping to advance to the next round, everything is on the line in this tie. Lille are looking to break their duck against a resilient Crvena Zvezda side that has twice shut them out already this season.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on head-to-head dominance and contrasting finishing trends, here are our top betting recommendations for this match. We’re particularly confident in Crvena Zvezda to extend their winning run over Lille, given their ability to convert limited chances and Lille’s recent lack of cutting edge.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crvena Zvezda to Win | 13/8 @ Bet365 (38.1%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | We are backing Crvena Zvezda at home as they’ve won both meetings with Lille this season without conceding. Their finishing efficiency and defensive solidity proved decisive last time out, while Lille have struggled to break them down. |
| Both Teams to Score: No | 11/10 @ Bet365 (47.6%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | There could be value here as both previous encounters this season ended with only one team finding the net. Crvena Zvezda’s defence has been especially tough for Lille, who are averaging fewer than 1.5 goals conceded per game in Europe. |
Odds correct at the time of writing.
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Season Form & Standings
There wasn’t much to separate these two sides in the group stage, with just two points between them in the standings. Crvena Zvezda hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg and this one is shaping up to be another close contest.
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crvena Zvezda | 15 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 14 |
| Lille | 18 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 12 |
Potential Match-Winners
- Jay Enem (Crvena Zvezda) – Leads the line for Zvezda and will be tasked with converting limited opportunities, averaging just over 1 shot per game in Europe.
- Olivier Giroud (Lille) – The veteran striker is the focal point of Lille’s attack; while yet to score in this head-to-head, his movement and aerial ability remain a threat.
- Bruno Duarte (Crvena Zvezda) – Noted for his work rate and ability to bring others into play, a crucial link in Zvezda’s counter-attacking setup.
- Felix Correia (Lille) – Offers pace and directness; could be pivotal if Lille can break with speed on the flanks.
Head-to-Head: Last 2 Meetings
Crvena Zvezda have won both of their previous meetings with Lille, keeping clean sheets on each occasion. Lille are still searching for their first goal and point against the Serbian side in this fixture.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 19/02/26 | Lille 0-1 Crvena Zvezda | Europa League |
| 06/11/25 | Crvena Zvezda 1-0 Lille | Europa League |
Will Crvena Zvezda make it three from three?
Crvena Zvezda have shown they can stifle Lille’s attack, winning both previous meetings by a single goal and keeping clean sheets. Lille’s underlying metrics suggest they could threaten, but their lack of end product in this fixture is a concern. With home advantage and a proven formula, there’s strong logic in backing Crvena Zvezda to win again at 13/8 with Bet365 (38.1%).
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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