Crvena zvezda vs Monaco prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-09-07 19:00.
Following a fifth consecutive domestic championship last term, Red Star Belgrade entered the new season in UEFA Champions League qualifying. After cruising through the first round by a 7-0 aggregate scoreline, the Serbians were narrowly beaten 5-4 by Maccabi Tel Aviv, consigning them to the Europa League (UEL). Red Star remain unbeaten in domestic action this season though (W6, D2) and will hope to translate that into a positive UEL start.
Miloš Milojević’s Red Star can look back upon their famous 1991 European Cup win in their first ever European encounter with French opponents Marseille for inspiration, yet they have played 13 games against French opposition since and won only once (D3, L9). Memories of winning their UEL group last season remain fresh for Red Star (W3, D2, L1), although if that is anything to go by this will be a tight match, as three of their four group games won/lost in that campaign ended 1-0!
Much like their hosts, Monaco were also knocked out of UCL qualifying at the final hurdle in a 4-3 aggregate defeat against Dutch outfit PSV. This is Monaco’s first ever European clash against Serbian opponents and they may enter with confidence after ending a five-game winless run in competitive action (D2, L3) with a 1-0 win at Nice last time out .
Perhaps inspiring further confidence is Monaco’s formidable record in UEL group stages (W4, D6, L2). But scratch beyond the surface of that overall form and we find that they’ve won just once away from home in the UEL proper (D3, L2) and are yet to keep a clean sheet on their European travels in this competition!
Players to watch: Osman Bukari scored his second career hat-trick in Red Star’s opening European qualifier this term, his first goals since his summer move from French side Nantes. As for Monaco, both of Breel Embolo’s goals this season were team openers and he seeks his first on the European stage since the 2020/21 campaign.
Hot stat: Red Star are unbeaten in 13 of their last 14 European home games (W9, D4).