Match Overview

The 2nd round match of the 2025/26 group stage between Porto (Portugal) and Crvena Zvezda (Serbia) will take place on October 2 at the Estádio do Dragão. Dive into our comprehensive prediction, betting insights, latest odds, and statistical breakdown for the Porto – Crvena Zvezda encounter.

Porto’s Form

A crucial goal scored in injury time secured a narrow victory for the Portuguese side against Salzburg in their opening match. This extends Porto’s scoring run to four consecutive fixtures. However, their offensive output has been somewhat subdued, with the club scoring more than one goal in only one of their last five matches. Despite this, the team has proven resilient, remaining undefeated in five of their last seven tournament clashes (3 wins, 2 draws).

Key Statistics for Porto

• Five of Porto’s last seven games have featured two or fewer goals.
• The team has conceded in ten of their last twelve home matches in this competition.
• On their home turf, Porto has avoided defeat in five of their last seven fixtures, securing three victories.

Porto’s Projected Starting XI (3-4-3)*

Diogo Costa – Jan Bednarek, Zaidu Sanusi, Jakub Kiwior – Victor Froholdt, Alan Varela, Gabri Veiga, Pablo Rosario – Pepe Aquino, Samu Agehova, Borja Sainz.

Forward Luuk de Jong and defender Nehuén Pérez are currently sidelined due to injuries.

Crvena Zvezda’s Performance Analysis

The Serbian club secured a 1-1 home draw against Celtic in their first-round match. This result brought an end to Crvena Zvezda’s eight-match streak without a draw in the (3 wins, 5 losses). However, their defensive vulnerability persists: Crvena Zvezda has now failed to keep a clean sheet in ten consecutive matches in this prestigious European tournament. Nonetheless, the Balkan giants have demonstrated their attacking prowess by scoring in six consecutive encounters.

Key Statistics for Crvena Zvezda

• Both teams found the net in Crvena Zvezda’s last six games.
• The team is currently on a four-match losing streak away from home in this tournament.
• In six of their last seven away matches in the , the club managed to score exactly one goal.

Crvena Zvezda’s Projected Starting XI (4-4-2)*

Matheus – Seol Young-woo, Miloš Veljković, Franklin Tebo, Nair Tiknizyan – Timi Elšnik, Nemanja Radonjić, Mirko Ivanić, Tomáš Handel – Bruno Duarte, Marko Arnautović.

Midfielder Rade Krunić is currently injured.

Match Official

Harm Osmers (Germany)

Referee Statistics

Matches officiated – 9 (International fixtures, 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 awarded – 33%.

Porto vs Crvena Zvezda Match Prediction

Porto narrowly secured a victory in the first round, snatching the win just before the final whistle. Despite their consistent presence in European competitions, the team has rarely delivered truly dominant performances for their supporters. In their last 14 matches, the Portuguese side has recorded only 4 wins (along with 5 draws and 5 losses). Even at home, their results are only marginally better. Furthermore, commanding victories from Porto are a rarity: in only 2 of their last 7 home wins did the team establish a lead of more than one goal.

The Serbian visitors also present a modest profile on the international stage, yet Crvena Zvezda seldom suffers significant setbacks. They have lost 7 of their last 21 matches, but in five of those instances, the Balkan team fell by the narrowest of margins. I anticipate the visitors will once again manage to cover the given handicap. My prediction: Crvena Zvezda with a handicap (+1.5) at odds of 1.80

Author’s Note

Author: Aleksey Tarabrin

* The starting lineup for each team is indicative, based on their previous match.