Red Star vs Celtic Prediction: Match Preview and Analysis | UEFA Europa League, Matchday 1
After narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification, Red Star and Celtic meet at the start of the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League, facing each other on Wednesday, September 24, at the Rajko Mitić Stadium in Belgrade, better known by its iconic name Marakana. The Serbian champions were eliminated in the qualifiers by Cypriot side Pafos, with just a one-goal difference enough to end their Champions League dream. Now, for Vladan Milojevic’s side, currently leading the Serbian Super Liga after nine rounds, the Europa League represents a chance for redemption following their last participation in 2022/23, when their journey ended already in the group stage. A similar fate for Celtic, who were knocked out of the Champions League playoffs in dramatic fashion, eliminated on penalties by Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty after two 0-0 draws. Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops, first in the Premiership after five rounds, aim to reverse their negative trend in the Europa League, where they were eliminated twice in a row at the group stage (2020/21 and 2021/22). The new competition format, introduced last year, offers greater opportunities compared to the past: the top 8 in the single league stage go straight to the Round of 16, the teams from 9th to 24th place face playoffs, while those finishing between 25th and 36th are eliminated. For this reason, both Red Star and Celtic will battle to kick off their European campaign on the right foot, seeking three crucial points to make qualification easier and avoid unpleasant surprises.