The Matchday 2 clash of the 2025/26 Europa League group stage between Porto (Portugal) and Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) will take place on October 2 at the Estádio do Dragão. Porto vs. Red Star Belgrade: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Porto
A last-minute goal in added time secured a victory for Porto in their first-round match against Salzburg. Notably, the team has scored in four consecutive Europa League games. However, Porto's scoring record is modest, having not scored more than once in 4 of their last 5 Europa League matches. Nevertheless, the team has avoided defeat in 5 of their last 7 encounters in this tournament (3 wins, 2 draws).
- No more than two goals were scored in 5 of Porto's last 7 Europa League games.
- The team has conceded in 10 of their last 12 home games in this tournament.
- Porto has avoided defeat in 5 of their last 7 home matches in the Europa League, securing 3 victories.
Predicted lineup for Porto (3-4-3)
Diogo Costa – Jan Bednarek, Zaidu Sanusi, Jakub Kiwior – Victor Froholt, Alan Varela, Gabri Veiga, Pablo Rosario – Pepe Aquino, Samu Agehova, Borja Sainz.
Forward Luuk de Jong and defender Nehuén Pérez are injured.
Red Star Belgrade
In the first round, the Serbs drew 1-1 at home with Celtic. This draw ended their 8-match streak of uncompromising results in the Europa League (3 wins, 5 losses). However, their streak of conceding goals continues, as Red Star Belgrade has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 10 games in this European competition. Nonetheless, the Balkan team has scored in 6 consecutive Europa League matches.
- Both teams scored in Red Star Belgrade's last 6 Europa League games.
- The team is on a 4-match losing streak away from home in this tournament.
- Red Star Belgrade has scored exactly 1 goal in 6 of their last 7 away Europa League matches.
Predicted lineup for Red Star Belgrade (4-4-2)
Mateus – Sol Yeong-Woo, Milos Veljkovic, Franklin Tebo, Nair Tiknizyan – Timi Elsnik, Nemanja Radonjic, Mirko Ivanic, Tomasz Hendel – Bruno Duarte, Marko Arnautovic.
Midfielder Rade Krunic and forwards Xavi Babica, Aleksandar Katai are injured.
Referee
Harm Osmers (Germany)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/2025 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 48;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.3;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 33%.
Porto vs. Red Star Belgrade: Match Prediction
Porto managed to snatch a victory in the first round just moments before the final whistle. Despite being regular participants in European competitions, the team rarely gives their fans cause for celebration. In their last 14 Europa League matches, Porto has won only 4 times (5 draws, 5 losses). Even at home, the club's results are only slightly better. Moreover, convincing victories from Porto are rare: only in 2 of their last 7 home wins have they achieved a margin of more than one goal.
The Serbs also have a modest presence on the international stage, yet Red Star Belgrade rarely suffers major setbacks. The team has lost 7 of their last 21 Europa League matches, but in 5 cases, the Balkans were defeated by a minimal margin. I believe the visitors will maintain a positive handicap this time. My prediction: Red Star Belgrade with a handicap (+1.5)
