Matchday 4 of the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between Crvena Zvezda (Serbia) and Barcelona (Spain) will take place on November 6 at the Rajko Mitić Stadium in Belgrade. Crvena Zvezda vs. Barcelona: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Espen Eskås (Norway)
Matches – 12 (International matches, 2023/24–2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 47;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.9;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 17%.
Predicted lineups for Crvena Zvezda vs. Barcelona
Crvena Zvezda (4-2-3-1): Omri Glazer – Uroš Spajić, Nasser Djiga, Vanja Drkušić, Sol Yan Wu – Rade Krunić, Timi Elsnik – Silas, Andrija Maksimović, Peter Olayinka – Bruno Duarte.
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Iñaki Peña – Pau Cubarsi, Jules Koundé, Iñigo Martínez, Alejandro Balde – Marc Casado, Pedri – Raphinha Dias, Fermín López, Lamine Yamal – Robert Lewandowski.
Crvena Zvezda
The Balkan side has yet to earn a point, along with five other clubs. Additionally, the Serbians, along with Slovan, have conceded the most goals in the group stage of the Champions League – 11 goals. At home, the team lost to Benfica 1-2, and suffered heavy defeats away to Inter (0-4) and Monaco (1-5). Crvena Zvezda has not impressed in this tournament, losing 10 out of their last 13 matches (1 win and 2 draws).
Defender Aden Avdić, as well as midfielders Nemanja Radonjić, Peter Olayinka, and Mirko Ivanić, will miss the match due to injuries.
- At least three goals have been scored in 11 of Crvena Zvezda's last 13 Champions League matches.
- Both teams have scored in 10 of Crvena Zvezda's last 13 matches in this tournament.
- The club has conceded first in 8 of their last 9 matches in this European competition.
Barcelona
The Catalans had a rough start to the group stage, losing away to Monaco (1-2). However, Hans Flick's side won their next two home matches with large margins. First, they crushed Young Boys (5-0), and then unexpectedly defeated Bayern (4-1). The Catalans are currently in 10th place. Notably, the Spanish team has been very efficient in front of goal, ranking second in goals scored (10) after three rounds, behind only Borussia Dortmund (12 goals).
Due to injuries, defenders Ronald Araújo and Eric García, midfielder Marc Bernal, forward Ferran Torres, and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen will miss the match.
- Three or more goals have been scored in Barcelona's last six Champions League matches.
- Both teams have scored in 8 of Barcelona's last 9 matches in this tournament.
- The club has not won the second half in their last 10 away matches in this European competition (6 draws and 4 losses).
Crvena Zvezda vs. Barcelona: Match Prediction
Low odds are being offered for the visitors' victory. This is not surprising, given the form the Spaniards are in. The Catalans are confidently leading La Liga, scoring plenty of goals, and in late October delighted the football world with big wins over Europe's top clubs – Bayern (4-1) and Real Madrid (4-0), with the Madrid side being defeated at the Santiago Bernabéu.
I believe the Catalans will secure an easy victory in this match. It is likely to be a comprehensive win, with the Spaniards scoring at least three goals. Barcelona has scored this number of goals in their last seven matches in La Liga and the Champions League. Meanwhile, the Serbians conceded a total of nine goals in their last two matches against Inter and Monaco. In the previous two seasons in this tournament, the Balkan side conceded two goals against even modest opponents like Young Boys and Bodø/Glimt.
My prediction – Barcelona individual total over 2.5 goals
