Crvena Zvezda welcome Larne FC to the Stadium Rajko Mitic on Wednesday in the second leg of their 2026-27 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie. The hosts return to familiar grounds with one foot firmly in the next round after coasting to a commanding result in the first-leg clash on the road.
Despite stumbling across the finish line, Crvena Zvezda claimed a sixth consecutive domestic double last season, further cementing their status as the dominant force in Serbian football.
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Red Star Belgrade have made a much more assured start to the new campaign, thrashing newly promoted Macva Sabac 5-0 in their league opener last weekend.
The Serbian champions then made the long cross-continental trip to Northern Ireland during the week for the first leg at Inver Park, making short work of Larne with a commanding 4-0 victory.
Larne are champions in their own right, having lifted the NIFL Premiership title last season, a feat that earned them a place in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
Drawn against SP Tre Fiori in the opening qualifying round, Larne dispatched the Sammarinese side 3-1 on aggregate to set up a meeting with Crvena Zvezda. However, the step up in quality has proven too great, as evidenced by their heavy first-leg defeat.
The Inver Reds now face an uphill battle in Serbia this week as they chase the unlikely task of overturning a four-goal deficit on hostile ground.
Crvena Zvezda vs Larne FC Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Wednesday’s game will mark just the second meeting between these two clubs following their maiden matchup last week.
- Red Star Belgrade have won all five of their competitive encounters against Northern Irish sides, scoring 24 goals and conceding just two.
- Larne are currently enjoying their deepest run in the UCL qualifiers after previously suffering consecutive first-round exits between 2023 and 2025.
- The hosts have not suffered a second-round exit from the UCL qualifiers in the 21st century.
Crvena Zvezda vs Larne FC Prediction
Having plundered four unanswered goals in the first meeting, the Star are in an extremely comfortable position ahead of the midweek clash and should need to do very little to book their place in the next round.
Larne, meanwhile, arrive in Serbia desperate to restore some pride, and although they could fall short once again, we are backing the Northern Irish champions to lose by less this time around.
Prediction: Crvena Zvezda 3-1 Larne FC
Crvena Zvezda vs Larne FC Betting Tips
Tip 1 – Result: Red Star Belgrade to win
Tip 2 – Goals – Over/under 2.5 – Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3 – Both teams to score: Yes
Edited by Peter Pedroncelli
