The Matchday 7 Group Stage match of the 2025/26 Europa League between Malmö (Sweden) and Crvena Zvezda (Serbia) will take place on 22 January at Malmö New Stadium. Malmö vs Crvena Zvezda: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Malmö
Malmö lost away to Porto (1:2) in the last round. That was the home side's fifth defeat in the group stage of the 2025/26 Europa League. The club even conceded in the only match in which it managed to take a point. However, that draw leaves the home side with only theoretical chances of fighting for the play-offs, with a gap of 6 points. This opportunity will disappear if the team loses the upcoming match. Only Maccabi Tel Aviv (2) has scored fewer goals than the home side (3).
At the start of the year the side was put under the leadership of Miguel Ángel Ramírez, who previously worked in Segunda.
- The home side conceded first in 5 of their previous 6 Europa League matches.
- On their own field in this competition Malmö have failed to win in 10 of their last 11 matches (2 draws, 8 defeats).
- The club found the net in 5 of their previous 6 home matches in the Europa League.
Potential Malmö Lineup
Robin Olsen – Jens Larsen, Gabriel Buzanello, Colin Resler, Pontus Jansson – Kenan Busuladžić, Lasse Jonsen, Adrian Skugmar, Teodor Lundberg – Salifu Suma, Sejad Haksabanović.
Crvena Zvezda
Crvena Zvezda's victory over Sturm in the last round was the visitors' third straight win in the Europa League. Interestingly, all three matches finished 1:0. Prior to this run the visiting team had gone 12 games conceding in the competition. With 10 points the visitors sit 17th in the main standings. Crvena Zvezda can either rise into the top eight or finish their Europa League campaign. The club also has the lowest goals scored figure among the top 24 teams – 5 goals.
In December the side appointed Dejan Stanković as head coach.
- The visitors failed to score more than once in 7 consecutive Europa League matches.
- On the road in this competition the side has lost 6 of their last 7 matches (1 win).
- At least three goals were scored in 5 of the last 7 away games for the visitors in the Europa League.
Potential Crvena Zvezda Lineup
Mateus – Sol En U, Stefan Lekovic, Nikola Stankovic, Rodrigan – Rade Krunić, Mirko Ivanic, Vasilije Kostov, Timi Elshnik – Marko Arnautovic, Bruno Duarte.
Referee
Sascha Stegemann (Germany)
Matches – 5 (international matches, 2025/26);
Yellow/second-yellow and red cards shown (including second yellows) – 14;
Average yellow/second-yellow and red cards per match – 2.8;
Red cards shown – 0;
Fouls per match on average – 25;
Penalties – 40%.
Malmö vs Crvena Zvezda: Match Prediction
Failure in the domestic championship and in the Europa League forced Malmö's management to change the head coach. It is unlikely that the Spanish specialist will be able to radically transform the team's play in such a short time, especially the creative side. The home side are the worst in the current Europa League campaign by xG and second from bottom by goals scored. Generally, it is hard to expect high scoring from the club: the home side failed to score more than once in 8 of their last 11 home matches in this competition. Defensive lapses are usually committed only on the road.
The visitors found the recipe for successful play: solid defending and a high conversion rate from rare chances helped Crvena Zvezda rise into the play-off zone. The side is unlikely to force the issue; a draw will likely suit the visitors, and achieving it will not be that difficult if they once again play strictly in defence. The club already has 3 clean sheets, a better figure shared by only three opponents. The visitors score at the level of lower-third table representatives.
Prediction: Under 2.5 goals
* For each team the starting lineup from its previous match is indicated.
