Hapoel Be'er Sheva face Crvena Zvezda on August 4, 2026, in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying-round tie. The match will be played at the neutral venue of Haladas Sportkomplexum, adding another variable to an important European contest. The winner over two legs will advance to the play-off round to meet either Celje or Ararat-Armenia, while the defeated side will move into the UEFA Europa League play-offs. Hapoel arrive after overturning a first-leg setback in the previous round, but their broader run has been inconsistent. Crvena Zvezda, also referred to as Red Star Belgrade, enter with four wins from their last five matches and a prolific Champions League qualifying record. Those contrasting trends create an intriguing backdrop to the opening leg.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva Recent Form and Key Statistics

Hapoel Be'er Sheva booked their place in this round by recovering from a 2-1 away defeat against Víkingur Reykjavík. Their 2-0 victory on July 29 completed the turnaround and provided a timely boost after a difficult sequence of results. It remains their only win across the last five matches, a period in which they recorded one draw and three defeats. During that five-game run, Hapoel averaged 1.4 goals scored and 2.0 conceded per match, highlighting the mixed nature of their recent performances.

Their Champions League campaign has so far produced one victory and one defeat, with averages of 1.5 goals scored and 1.0 conceded. The 2-0 second-leg success over Víkingur Reykjavík showed that the team can respond when qualification is at stake, although the neutral setting for this fixture means their usual home context will not apply in the same way.

Nevertheless, Hapoel's longer-term home numbers provide some encouragement. They have lost only once in their last nine home European matches, collecting three wins and five draws while keeping seven clean sheets. They have also scored at least once in each of their last 13 home games, and those 13 fixtures all produced more than 1.5 total goals. Across all venues, Hapoel have found the net in 23 of their last 24 matches, so their recent win-loss record has not prevented them from scoring regularly.

The first-half statistics are another notable feature of Hapoel's profile. They have avoided going into the interval behind in 38 of their last 40 games and in 21 of their previous 22 home matches. They also led at half time in nine of their last 13 home fixtures. Meanwhile, each of their last 16 matches has featured at least one second-half goal in total, indicating that events after the break have consistently influenced their games.

Crvena Zvezda Recent Form and Key Statistics

Crvena Zvezda approach the first leg in significantly stronger recent form. They have won four of their last five matches, losing once, while averaging 3.6 goals scored and only 0.8 conceded during that sequence. Their latest result was a 5-0 victory against Larne on July 29, completing a 9-0 aggregate success in the previous qualifying round after a 4-0 away-leg win.

The visitors have won their two Champions League matches this season without conceding. Their competition averages stand at 4.5 goals scored and 0.0 conceded per game, giving them an imposing statistical platform ahead of this tie. The two qualifying victories are part of a four-match winning sequence in which Crvena Zvezda scored 17 goals overall. Their wider European record is also positive, with seven victories, one draw and one defeat across their last nine matches in continental competition.

Away form further strengthens their case. Crvena Zvezda are unbeaten in their last 17 matches on the road and have won each of their previous four European away fixtures. They have also avoided trailing at half time in 19 of their last 20 away games, while taking a half-time lead in 11 of the latest 14. Across all venues, they have been ahead at the interval in each of their last four matches.

The scoring patterns are equally consistent. Crvena Zvezda have registered at least one goal in their last 14 Champions League matches and in 19 of their previous 20 fixtures overall. More than 1.5 total goals were recorded in 19 of those last 20 games, as well as in 26 of their latest 28 Champions League matches. At least one first-half goal occurred in 25 of their last 27 fixtures and in 29 of their last 32 Champions League games. In addition, 26 of their previous 28 matches in this competition contained a second-half goal.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva vs Crvena Zvezda Match Analysis

The first leg brings together a Hapoel side that demonstrated resilience in the previous round and a Crvena Zvezda team carrying considerably stronger momentum. Hapoel Be'er Sheva cannot rely directly on their established home record because this match is being staged at a neutral venue, but their scoring run remains relevant. Finding the net in 23 of 24 matches suggests that they have regularly produced an attacking response, even when results have not gone their way.

Crvena Zvezda, however, arrive after scoring nine unanswered goals across their previous qualifying tie. Their sequence of four consecutive victories, combined with an unbeaten run of 17 away matches, gives them a strong recent foundation. Their tendency to score in both Champions League and general competition also means Hapoel's ability to control the match without the ball could be important, particularly after averaging two goals conceded across their last five outings.

The timing trends add another layer to this Champions League preview. Both teams have repeatedly featured in matches containing second-half goals, while Crvena Zvezda's recent fixtures have also produced frequent first-half scoring. Hapoel's record of rarely trailing at the interval could therefore be tested by visitors who have led at half time in four straight matches and in 11 of their last 14 away games.

With a play-off place still to be settled over two legs, neither side can complete the job in this opening encounter. Hapoel will look to build on the determination shown in their 2-0 response against Víkingur Reykjavík, whereas Crvena Zvezda will try to maintain the scoring rhythm established against Larne. The neutral venue, Hapoel's recent inconsistency and Crvena Zvezda's powerful run of results provide the central themes ahead of this first-leg meeting.