Suduva Marijampole vs Red Star Belgrade Predictions

Can Red Star repeat their Champions League run from last season? They made it through to the group stage last term, bringing back some huge European nights to a side who used to be among the very best in Europe. They are now aiming to become a consistent force in Europe, with their road to the last 32 starting again on Tuesday night. They’re away in Lithuania, but will they get their new European campaign off to a strong start?

Suduva are aiming for success in Europe, but they struggled to achieve it last season. They went out in the second qualifying round 12 months ago to Red Star, but they won the title to return this time around. They’re still pushing for glory this season, as they currently lead the way in the race for the trophy in the A Lyga in 2019. However, will they combine that with a big scalp in the Champions League?

Red Star went all the way in last season’s qualifiers, as they sealed a place in the tournament’s group of death. They did go on to finish bottom, but that was after going up against Napoli, French champions PSG and a Liverpool side who went on to win the trophy. They managed to hold Napoli to a 0-0 at home, while they saw off Liverpool 2-0 at home making them one of the few sides in Europe to beat the Reds last term. After that success they’ll be aiming to go far this season, but how will they start off?

The visitors impressed in their defensive displays here against Liverpool and Napoli, but that came from years of building up their record at the back. They came through their first four qualifiers last season with a clean sheet, while the season before they went out of the Europa League in the last 32 after keeping six clean sheets in eight games between the group stage and the knockout clashes. They’re used to keeping things tight, so we expect them to shut down Suduva.

The hosts have failed to score in their last three Champions League games, while four of their last five matches in the Europa League at home have seen fewer than three goals. Red Star didn’t hammer sides on their way through, including a 2-0 victory in their trip to this ground last term. We expect them to claim a routine win in a tight contest ahead of the second leg. We think under 2.5 goals is the best bet here, along with a 1-0 away win.