Maccabi Haifa vs Crvena Zvezda Predictions

• Maccabi Haifa have lost only one of their last 16 European home games (Won 10, Drawn 5).
• Crvena Zvezda have lost only one of their last six European away ties (Won 3, Drawn 2).
• Crvena Zvezda have won all seven of their games so far this season and kept six clean sheets.

Crvena Zvezda have the class to pass Maccabi test

Crvena Zvezda ought to progress from their two-legged play-off round against Maccabi Haifa, but the Serbians may have to settle for a draw in Israel on Wednesday.

Dejan Stankovic’s team have begun the season in supreme fashion, winning all seven of their games so far and conceding just the once in a game they were already leading 2-0. The 1991 European Cup winners have been edging closer to a return to the top table of continental football in recent years and reached the Europa League last-16 last term.

Their 3-0 defeat at a raucous Ibrox was their only away defeat in the competition last season and the scoreline does not reflect how much of a threat they carried in the match as they missed a penalty in the first half. It’s faith to say we would have them down to win on Wednesday if it were not for Maccabi’s impressive home record in European competitions of late.

Greens go well on home turf

The Greens have won ten and drawn five of their last 16 at Sammy Ofer Stadium, which suggests they rise to the occasion among their own fans. Yet the crucial 4-0 victory over Olympiakos that essentially got them to this stage was achieved in Greece and Barak Bacahar’s side dug in for a draw at home to go through.

Crvena Zvezda could pull off a victory in Israel, but backing them to avoid defeat looks a safer option just in case Maccabi can make lightning strike twice.

A 1-1 draw is the preferred correct score play here as Maccabi have drawn two of their last three home Champions League games by that score, including the recent meeting with Olympiakos. Similarly, two of Crvena Zvezda’s three away Europa League group stage games finished one apiece last season.