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.

Red Star's recent form and key stats

Great moment for Red Star, unbeaten in three matches with one draw and two wins. Their latest victory came on September 20: a 2-1 Eternal Derby win over Partizan thanks to goals from Elsnik and Radonjic. A win that allowed Vladan Milojevic’s men to overtake their historic rivals in the standings, taking the top of the Serbian Super Liga alone.

In their last five games across all competitions, Red Star recorded three wins, one draw, and one defeat with an average of 3.2 goals scored and 1.2 conceded per match. These numbers confirm a very attacking-minded team, but also one that struggles defensively, as they have conceded in each of their last nine matches.

While almost unbeatable at home in domestic competition, things change significantly in Europe. In their last two international matches played at the Rajko Mitić Stadium, they failed to win, drawing against Lech and losing to Pafos.

Celtic's recent form and key stats

Celtic approach this Europa League opener riding back-to-back victories, the latest a 4-0 win over Partick Thistle in the Scottish League Cup quarterfinals. In their last Premiership outing, Brendan Rodgers’ side beat Kilmarnock 2-1 away, consolidating their top spot after five rounds.

In their last five games, the Hoops’ record is more than positive: three wins and two draws with an average of 1.8 goals scored and only 0.2 conceded per match. While the attack remains one of the strengths of the Scottish champions, the real difference comes from their defense, with seven clean sheets in nine matches played so far this season.

Rodgers’ men have not lost away from home this season, collecting three wins and two draws while conceding only one goal. More generally, they are unbeaten away in their last ten matches, with six wins and four draws.

Red Star vs Celtic prediction and tactical overview

The clash between Red Star and Celtic, valid for Matchday 1 of the Europa League, promises to be exciting and full of goals. Two sides accustomed to dominating their domestic leagues, both preferring attacking, entertaining football.

Defensively, Celtic have the edge, but Red Star at home are a true scoring machine, and it will be difficult for Schmeichel to keep a clean sheet at Belgrade’s Marakana. The feeling is that this will be a match with constant end-to-end action and goals from both sides.

According to BetMines’ algorithm, the outcome “both teams to score” is the most likely. Indeed, five of Red Star’s last six home games ended this way, proving they always concede chances even at home.

• Red Star vs Celtic prediction by BetMines: both teams to score with 62% probability
  
  
• Red Star vs Celtic prediction by BetMines: at least one team not to score with 38% probability

Red Star vs Celtic predicted lineups

RED STAR (4-2-3-1): Santana; Seol Yung-Woo, Lekovic, Veljkovic, Tiknizyan; Elsnik, Handel; Babicka, Duarte, Ivanic; Arnautovic. Coach: Vladan Milojevic

CELTIC (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Donovan, Vickers, Scales, Saracchi; Nygren, McGregor, Hatate; Tounekti, Maeda, Balikwisha. Coach: Brendan Rodgers