The UEFA Champions League playoff round second leg sees Pafos FC host Red Star Belgrade at Alphamega Stadium on August 26, 2025, with a group stage spot at stake. Pafos’s first-leg lead meets Red Star’s attacking prowess, promising a thrilling decider in Limassol.
Scheduled for 19:00 GMT+0 on August 26, 2025, at the 11,000-capacity Alphamega Stadium, this Champions League playoff match will be officiated by Michael Oliver from England. Pafos FC, under Juan Carlos Carcedo, aim to defend their 2-1 advantage, while Red Star Belgrade, led by Vladan Milojevic, seek to overturn the deficit with their European experience.
Betting Tips and Match Insights
Get set for the Pafos FC vs Red Star Belgrade prediction today with our expert breakdown. Pafos’s defensive solidity meets Red Star’s attacking depth, setting up a high-stakes clash. Pafos’s 2-1 first-leg win adds intrigue to this rare matchup. Recent performances and the single head-to-head provide critical clues for your bets. Let’s unpack the numbers for your Pafos FC vs Red Star Belgrade betting tips.
Pafos FC Results
Pafos FC, under Juan Carlos Carcedo, are unbeaten in their Champions League debut, with four wins and a draw in qualifiers. Their defensive resilience has been key in their historic run. Here’s a look at their last five matches across all competitions.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 19/08/25 | CL | Crvena zvezda vs Pafos | 1-2 | W |
| 12/08/25 | CL | Pafos vs Dyn. Kyiv | 2-0 | W |
| 05/08/25 | CL | Dyn. Kyiv vs Pafos | 0-1 | W |
| 30/07/25 | CL | Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Pafos | 0-1 | W |
| 22/07/25 | CL | Pafos vs Maccabi Tel Aviv | 1-1 | D |
Pafos’s form shows four wins and one draw, averaging 1.4 goals per game, with a 2-1 win over Red Star led by Joao Correia and Pepe. Their clean sheets in three of five games highlight defensive strength, conceding 0.4 goals per game. Home form, with two wins in two qualifiers, is a strength. Their 20% BTTS rate suggests control. Mislav Orsic’s scoring adds flair.
Red Star Belgrade Results
Red Star Belgrade, under Vladan Milojevic, have been dominant domestically but stumbled in the first leg, ending their 15-match unbeaten run. Their attacking potency remains a key asset. Here’s their last five matches across all competitions.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 19/08/25 | CL | Crvena zvezda vs Pafos | 1-2 | L |
| 15/08/25 | SL | Mladost vs Crvena zvezda | 1-4 | W |
| 12/08/25 | CL | Crvena zvezda vs Lech Poznan | 1-1 | D |
| 09/08/25 | SL | Crvena zvezda vs TSC | 1-0 | W |
| 06/08/25 | CL | Lech Poznan vs Crvena zvezda | 1-3 | W |
Red Star’s form shows three wins, one draw, and one loss, averaging 2 goals per game, with a 4-1 win over Mladost led by Aleksandar Katai’s hat-trick. Their 1-2 loss to Pafos exposed defensive gaps, conceding 1 goal per game. Away form, with three wins in five, is solid. Their 60% BTTS rate suggests vulnerability. Cherif Ndiaye’s four qualifying goals are crucial.
Pafos FC vs Red Star Belgrade Head-to-Head
Pafos FC and Red Star Belgrade met for the first time in the first leg, with Pafos securing a 2-1 upset in Belgrade. No prior competitive meetings exist, making this a fresh rivalry. Here’s the only head-to-head result.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result |
| 19/08/25 | CL | Crvena zvezda vs Pafos | 1-2 |
Pafos’s 2-1 victory, with goals from Joao Correia and Pepe, shows their upset potential. Red Star’s Bruno Duarte scored, but their defense faltered. Expect a tight, potentially high-scoring second leg given both teams’ attacking form.
Predicted Starting Lineups for Pafos FC vs Red Star Belgrade
The UEFA Champions League playoff round second-leg clash on August 26, 2025, at Alphamega Stadium will see Pafos FC and Red Star Belgrade field their strongest available squads, with these predicted lineups showcasing their tactical approaches. Pafos FC aim to defend their 2-1 first-leg lead with home resilience, while Red Star Belgrade seek to overturn the deficit with attacking depth. Below are the expected starting XIs, with player positions based on the latest team news.
Pafos FC Predicted Lineup
Michail (GK), Bruno (DF), Goldar (DF), Luckassen (DF), Pileas (DF), Sunjic (MF), Dragomir (MF), Pepe (AM), Orsic (FW), Silva (FW), Jaja (FW)
Red Star Belgrade Predicted Lineup
Matheus (GK), Young-Woo (DF), Milosavljevic (DF), Rodrigo (DF), Tiknizyan (DF), Bajo (MF), Kostov (MF), Babicka (AM), Katai (AM), Olayinka (AM), Ndiaye (FW)
Injured and Questionable Players
Pafos FC and Red Star Belgrade face challenges with key players sidelined for their August 26, 2025, Champions League playoff matchup, potentially altering the game’s dynamics. Injuries and other absences force both managers to adapt their lineups. The table below lists unavailable players, excluding those in the predicted lineups, with their full names and reasons for absence.
| Team | Player | Reason |
| Pafos FC | David Luiz | Thigh Injury |
| Pafos FC | Joao Correia | Injury |
| Pafos FC | Muamer Tankovic | Injury |
| Red Star Belgrade | Marko Arnautovic | Inactive |
| Red Star Belgrade | Nemanja Radonjic | Inactive |
Key Factors to Watch
To craft a precise Pafos FC vs Red Star Belgrade match prediction, focus on the elements that could sway this Champions League playoff. Injuries, form, and tactical battles will shape the outcome at Alphamega Stadium. Here are eight critical points to consider.
- Pafos’s Joao Correia scored in the first leg;
- Red Star’s Cherif Ndiaye has four qualifying goals;
- Pafos are unbeaten in 11 games;
- Red Star’s Rodrigao is suspended;
- Pafos kept three clean sheets in qualifiers;
- Red Star won three of five away games;
- Pafos’s Mislav Orsic adds attacking flair;
- Red Star’s Rade Krunic is banned.
Free Tips on Pafos FC vs Red Star Belgrade
To place smart bets on the Pafos FC vs Red Star Belgrade Champions League playoff clash, rely on the stats from their recent performances and Pafos’s 2-1 first-leg upset. This August 26, 2025, second-leg matchup at Alphamega Stadium pits Pafos’s defensive solidity against Red Star’s attacking depth. Here are five betting tips, drawn from statistical insights, to guide your wagers.
- Examine First-Leg Trends: The 2-1 first leg saw both teams score, with 60% BTTS likelihood; consider betting on over 2.5 goals for value.
- Check Alphamega Stadium’s Pitch Conditions: The grass surface, if rain-affected, could slow Red Star’s counters, favoring Pafos’s compact setup; monitor weather updates.
- Factor in Home Crowd Influence: Pafos’s passionate fans can spark early aggression; bets on a first-half Pafos goal hold potential.
- Assess Red Star’s Away Form: Red Star won three of five away games; they may challenge Pafos’s defense with possession.
- Evaluate Referee Michael Oliver’s Style: Known for strict officiating, Oliver may issue cards in this high-stakes tie; explore prop bets on bookings.
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Pafos FC vs Red Star Belgrade Prediction 2025
For the Pafos FC vs Red Star Belgrade prediction 2025, I’m backing a 2-2 draw, with Pafos advancing 4-3 on aggregate. Pafos’s 2-1 first-leg win, led by Joao Correia and Pepe, and their unbeaten run in 11 games, with three clean sheets and 0.4 goals conceded per game, give them confidence at Alphamega Stadium. Red Star’s attacking depth, with Cherif Ndiaye’s four qualifying goals and a 4-1 domestic win, averaging 2 goals per game, makes them dangerous, despite conceding 1 goal per game. The Pafos FC vs Red Star Belgrade odds, with Pafos at 3.50 and Red Star at 2.00, reflect a tight contest. The first leg’s 60% BTTS and both teams’ attacking form (Pafos 20%, Red Star 60%) suggest goals. Red Star’s suspensions of Rodrigao and Rade Krunic weaken their defense, while Pafos’s Domingos Quina’s return strengthens their midfield. Pafos’s home resilience should secure a draw, enough to advance, in a high-scoring, competitive clash.
Our Prediction: Pafos FC 2-2 Red Star Belgrade
| Prediction Type | Prediction | Odds |
| Match Result | Draw | 3.65 |
| Both Teams to Score | Yes | 1.59 |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 | 1.68 |
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