Crvena zvezda vs Lille Prediction & Betting Tips (26 February)

Crvena zvezda welcome Lille to Belgrade for a finely poised Europa League knockout tie that has quietly become one of the more intriguing stories of the spring. The Serbian champions carry a precious advantage after winning the first leg in France, where their compact shape and ruthless counterattacks frustrated a Lille side that had been defensively solid in Ligue 1. In the last two months, both clubs have juggled domestic demands with European pressure, rotating key players while trying to keep rhythm. This second leg now feels like a test of nerve as much as quality, with the visitors needing to show more cutting edge and the hosts aiming to prove that their recent continental resurgence is no coincidence.

Crvena zvezda’s recent run hints at a team that has learned how to manage tight European nights. The draw against Celta Vigo in Belgrade, reflected in the 1-1 scoreline, showed their ability to respond under pressure after falling behind in group-stage style encounters. Before that, the narrow away victory at Malmö, captured by the 0-1 result, underlined their discipline without the ball and their threat from quick transitions. Add in winter friendlies against Salzburg, Debreceni, Aarau and Mannheim, and you see a side that has steadily sharpened both fitness and structure, blending experienced campaigners with younger legs that can press and break with real intensity.

Lille arrive in Serbia with mixed feelings about their recent form. In Ligue 1 they have been difficult to beat but not always clinical, as shown by the home draw with Brest, ending 1-1, and the goalless stalemate away at Metz, recorded as 0-0. Those results sit alongside a valuable Europa League league-stage win over Freiburg and a heavy home defeat to Strasbourg, which raised questions about defensive concentration. The first-leg loss to Crvena zvezda in Lille added to that unease, but it also sharpened focus: the French side know they must raise the tempo, press higher, and trust their creative players to finally convert territorial dominance into goals.

Tactically, this second leg should hinge on whether Lille can disrupt Crvena zvezda’s compact block without leaving themselves exposed to the counter. The hosts are unlikely to abandon the pragmatic blueprint that has served them so well, especially after their controlled performance in France, while Lille may push full-backs higher and commit more bodies between the lines. That risk-reward balance suggests an open, nervy contest once the first goal arrives. Taking into account Lille’s need to chase the game, their recent difficulty turning pressure into wins, and Crvena zvezda’s knack for striking at key moments, a plausible outcome for this Europa League clash is a 1 : 2 scoreline in favour of the visit