Duty for Red Star Belgrade?

At one time, Red Star Belgrade were one of Europe’s elite clubs and caused a sensation with their title coup in the 1990/91 Champions League – at that time still known as the “European Champion Clubs’ Cup”. Since then, success on the international stage has been limited, especially in the top flight.

FK Crvena Zvezda last reached the group stage of the Champions League in the 2019/20 season. In the last two seasons, however, Red Star failed miserably in the qualification phase, including surprising defeats against supposed underdogs like Omonia Nicosia and Sheriff Tiraspol. This season now sees the Serbians’ next attempt.

Red Star kick off their international campaign in the third qualifying round for the Champions League with a match against FC Pyunik Yerevan. The Serbs’ Wednesday opponents are in the third round of CL qualifying for the first time in the club’s history. For FC Pyunik, this will be their fifth international competitive match of the season.

In the last two rounds, the Armenian record champions have already won against CFR Cluj and F91 Düdelingen. Surprisingly, FC Pyunik were particularly convincing away from home and remained unbeaten in both rounds. If the series continues with the Serbians, the odds on Red Star Belgrade vs. Pyunik Yerevan will be above the 4.00 mark.

Red Star Belgrade – Statistics & current form

As in the 2020/21 season, Red Star Belgrade won the league and cup titles last season, celebrating the double for the twelfth time in the club’s long history. With the championship last season, FK Crvena zvezda also booked their ticket for this year’s Champions League qualification.

In contrast to last season, when Red Star started their CL qualifying campaign in the second round, this year’s international adventure only begins in the third qualifying round. With their opponents FC Pyunik, Red Star have overcome a feasible hurdle and are clear favourites in their encounters with the Armenian record champions.

In the first leg, odds of 1.18 are currently offered for tip 1 on Red Star Belgrade vs. So far, Red Star has never lost a competitive match against an Armenian team and therefore goes into the match against FC Pyunik with a broad chest.

Rajko Mitic Stadium – the fortress of Red Star

In addition, Red Star Belgrade will benefit from home advantage in the first leg against their Armenian opponents. Just how important home advantage is for the Serbian record champions can be seen from a quick glance at their home record on the international stage. Since 2020, only one of the last twelve international home matches has been lost at the Rajko Mitic Stadium.

It would therefore be all the more surprising if FK Crvena Zvezda were to lose their home advantage against FC Pyunik. Especially as the 2022/23 season has started promisingly so far. After four matches in the Serbian Super League, Red Star already have four wins to their name. Head coach Dejan Stankovic’s team has scored a total of 17 goals.

The top scorer was Pavkov with a total of five goals. In the dress rehearsal before the home match against FC Pyunik, Red Star Belgrade celebrated a 6-0 victory against Radnik last weekend. Surprisingly, head coach Stankovic did not use a rotation. It is quite possible that the 43-year-old will start the CL qualifier with the same starting eleven.

Predicted line-up of Red Star Belgrade:
Borjan; Dragovic, Milunovic, Rodic, Gobeljic; Kangwa, Ivanic, Kanga, Mitrovic; Katai, Pesic

Last matches played by Red Star Belgrade:

1st Division
30/07/2022 – Red Star Belgrade 6 – 0 FK Radnik Surdulica

25/07/2022 – Mladost Lucani 1 – 2 Red Star Belgrade

17/07/2022 – Red Star Belgrade 5 – 0 Kolubara

11/07/2022 – Red Star Belgrade 4 – 0 Radnicki Nis

Friendly club matches
03/07/2022 – Zenit St. Petersburg 2 – 1 Red Star Belgrade

Pyunik Yerevan – Statistics & current form

New milestone in the club history of FC Pyunik. By reaching the third round of this year’s Champions League qualifiers, FC Pyunik Yerevan have recorded the best international result in the club’s history so far. After knocking out CFR Cluj in the first round, Pyunik also beat F91 Düdelingen in the second qualifying round.

Now, in the third round, the big test of maturity awaits against Red Star Belgrade, with the play-offs within reach for FC Pyunik. The result in the first leg will set the tone for the Armenian record champions. In the last two qualifying rounds, FC Pyunik have always won their ticket to the next round away from home.

Against CFR Cluj, the comeback was successful in extra time. The match at Luxembourg’s F91 Düdelingen, on the other hand, was won 4:1 by FC Pyunik, making it only the seventh time in the club’s history that they have won an international competition match on foreign soil.

Can FC Pyunik defy the heavyweight from Serbia?

The league season started for FC Pyunik with a derby defeat against Ararat. Despite home advantage, the Armenian record champions suffered a bitter 1-0 defeat. Head coach Eghishe Melikyan made a number of key players available for the upcoming match on the international stage.

Among others, Luka Juricic was not included in the squad against FC Ararat. The 25-year-old helped the Armenian record champions reach the third round of CL qualifying last week. With his brace against F91 Düdelingen, Juricic was undoubtedly one of the big success factors in the offensive as a wild card.

It is quite possible that the 25-year-old will even be in the starting eleven this time. Head coach Eghishe Melikyan has no personnel worries for the first leg in Serbia and can draw on a full complement of players this week.

Pyunik Yerevan’s likely line-up:
Yurchenko; Juninho, Gajic, Kovalenko; Davidyan, Mensalao, Zambrano, Harutyunyan, Dashyan; Juricic, Otubanjo

Last matches played by Pyunik Yerevan:

Premier League
30/07/2022 – Pyunik Erevan 0 – 1 Ararat Erevan

Champions League Qualifier
27/07/2022 – F91 Dudelange 1 – 4 Pjunik Erevan

19/07/2022 – Pjunik Erewan 0 – 1 F91 Düdelingen

14/07/2022 – CFR Cluj (3)2 – 2(4) Pjunik Erewan

05/07/2022 – Pjunik Erewan 0 – 0 CFR Cluj

Red Star Belgrade – Pyunik Yerevan Direct comparison / H2H record

Red Star Belgrade and FC Pyunik Yerevan meet for the first time ever

Red Star Belgrade – Pyunik Yerevan Tip

The Serbian record champions have failed to reach the group stage of the top flight in the last two seasons. Therefore, it is all the more important for Red Star Belgrade to end the negative trend this season and realise the jump into the group stage of the upcoming Champions League. FC Pyunik will be the first hurdle for Red Star on the international stage.

In contrast to FK Crvena Zvezda, the Armenian record champions have been represented internationally since the first qualifying round. So far, FC Pyunik has already knocked two teams out of the competition, CFR Cluj and F91 Düdelingen. By reaching the third round of CL qualifying, FC Pyunik set a new record for Armenian clubs.

Although FC Pyunik did not make a bad impression in the last two rounds of the current CL qualifiers, a surprise against Red Star Belgrade tends to be out of the question. The Serbians have had a sensational start to the season so far and have won all four matches this season. FK Crvena Zvezda even scored 17 goals in the process.

If the Serbian record champions can build on their start to the season in the league, Red Star should not find it too difficult, especially in the first leg against FC Pyunik. This week’s match, after all, takes place at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, Red Star Belgrade’s fortress. The Serbs have lost only one home match at home on the international stage since 2020.

With a stake of seven units, we therefore dare to bet on Red Star Belgrade vs. Pyunik Yerevan at odds of 1.61 on “HT/FT: 1/1”.