- Hapoel Beer-Sheva beat Red Star 1-0 in the first leg of this UEFA Champions League Qualification 2026 tie, giving the Israelis a real psychological edge.
- Red Star have won four and lost two of their six home matches in all competitions, while Hapoel Beer-Sheva are 2-1-1 on the road.
- Red Star are 5-1-4 across their last ten matches, while Hapoel are 5-1-4 across their same number of recent fixtures.
Tight tie expected between classic opposites in Serbia
Hapoel Beer-Sheva's 1-0 victory in the opening game of this UEFA Champions League Qualification 2026 playoff was a real shock for favourites Red Star, who will have to respond when the sides meet in Serbia for the return clash on Tuesday. Ran Kozuch's side are solid in structure, compact in the middle and quick on the counter attack, while Dejan Stankovic's men play a high-tempo, vertical style, pressing high and flooding the half-spaces. This FK Red Star Belgrade (Crvena Zvezda) vs Hapoel Beer-Sheva preview suggests a fascinating second leg.
That should make for a fascinating matchup at Stadion Rajko Mitic, with Red Star the clear favourite at 1.36 against a Hapoel price of 7.95 and a draw at 5.46. But the Israelis will be in the game after their victory last week and look able to make it a tight and tense contest if they can stay in the match for long enough. Our FK Red Star Belgrade (Crvena Zvezda) vs Hapoel Beer-Sheva prediction is that the tie will remain competitive throughout.
Red Star will edge the territory battle and that should see them home, but Hapoel will be a threat on the break and look good enough to take something back. Backing both teams to score is a near 50/50 bet, which is attractive enough, while we're holding onto the underdog possibility by taking Under 2.5 goals at 2.52. FK Red Star Belgrade (Crvena Zvezda) vs Hapoel Beer-Sheva betting tips also point toward a low-scoring contest.
Red Star to prevail in tight game
FK Red Star are a stronger team and they should justify their favourite tag by completing the task, but they've been caught in the defensive third in the past and this looks like a game that won't be a runaway win for them.
Serbia's champions come into the game 5-1-4 across their last ten in all competitions, which is a mixed record with lots of ebb and flow, while Hapoel are also 5-1-4 in their ten most recent. The fact that the visitors have put together back-to-back wins, however, means they should have the confidence to challenge on their opponent's turf.
Red Star have won four of their last five, however, and a 5-0 demolition of Larne at home in their opening UEFA Champions League Qualification 2026 game indicates that they have the capability to break the deadlock. Bruno Duarte is Red Star's main threat in the final third and their Portugal-based forward has scored two goals in UEFA Champions League Qualification 2026 so far. FK Red Star Belgrade (Crvena Zvezda) vs Hapoel Beer-Sheva prediction points to Duarte being decisive again.
Zahi Ahmed, on the other hand, is Hapoel's key finisher with two in three games in this competition. The Israeli attacker looks the sharpest edge in the visitors' attack and he will be supported by Kings Kangwa, who has chipped in with two goals in Hapoel's last five matches - during which time they have scored six.
Hapoel can make it close
Red Star should win at home, but we're expecting Hapoel to make it a close one. The Serbian champions have conceded 11 goals in six home games in all competitions, so there is some wobble in their backline.
Hapoel have only conceded five goals in four away games in all competitions, so they should get into a defensive block and make life difficult for Red Star.
Hapoel are 2-1-1 on the road in all competitions, a solid record for a side from a smaller European country that hints at their ability to stay in the fight on Tuesday. Red Star should have more of the ball in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 system, but Hapoel will play a narrow spine with wide switches that can punish any overcommitment. FK Red Star Belgrade (Crvena Zvezda) vs Hapoel Beer-Sheva prediction again leans toward a narrow home win.
