Lille vs Crvena Zvezda Predictions

• Lille have conceded in seven of their last nine games
• Crvena Zvezda have scored 17 goals across their last six games
• Both teams have scored in three of Lille’s last four home hames

Lille and Red Star look evenly matched

Ligue 1 outfit Lille and Serbian league leaders Crvena Zvezda meet in the Europa League play-off round on Thursday in what should be a competitive two-legged tie.

The visitors won 1-0 in Serbia when these sides met in the league phase, but we could be in line for a bit more entertainment on Thursday and backing both teams to score lools a strong play.

Red Star have scored 15 goals in just four domestic games since the winter break in Serbia, while they also scored in both of their Europa League games during their time off back home.

Lille rarely draw a blank at home – failing to score in just one of their last 12 home games and in just two games at the Pierre-Mauroy all season – but they have found clean sheets hard to come by. Les Dogues have conceded in four of their last five at home and in seven of their last nine overall.

It would be no surprise to see this tie finely poised going into the second leg in Belgrade but with home advantage Lille may be able to take a slender lead and a 2-1 win for the hosts has a chance. Red Star scored exactly one goal in three of their four league phase trips, while two of Lille’s three home wins came by one goal margins in this competition.

With forward Hamza Igamane among a lengthy list of absentees for Lille, Olivier Giroud should get the nod to start on Thursday. The veteran forward scored in his side’s final two league phase fixtures and he looks a contender to get on the scoresheet against Red Star.