Red Star Belgrade and Benfica meet in Serbia on Thursday night for match day 1 in the Champions League. Red Star Belgrade vs. Benfica is streaming on Paramount+ in the United States.
Benfica is a -110 favorite to win outright in the latest Champions League odds, with Belgrade a +290 underdog and a draw at +275. The over/under is 2.5 goals, with the over -140 and the under +110.
The Serbian champion is back in the competition for the second straight season and for the fourth time in the last seven years. Meanwhile, the Portuguese club made a deep run in the Europa League last campaign after finishing third in its UCL group.
This match may not have the star power like others in this tournament, but it doesn’t mean there isn’t betting value on the board to cash a winning ticket.
Let's get into my Red Star Belgrade vs. Benfica predictions and my Champions League picks and predictions for Thursday.
Red Star Belgrade vs. Benfica Odds, Picks, Prediction
| Red Star Belgrade Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+0.5 -110 | 2.5 -136o / +112u | +280 |
| Benfica Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-0.5 -110 | 2.5 -136o / +112u | -110 |
- Red Star Belgrade vs. Benfica moneyline odds: Benfica -11o, Red Star +290, Draw +275
- Red Star Belgrade vs. Benfica over/under: 2.5 goals
- Red Star Belgrade vs. Benfica pick: I am backing Red Star Belgrade in this Champions League match.
My Red Star vs. Benfica best bet is betting on Red Star Belgrade on the spread in this Champions League fixture. Always be sure to shop around for the best lines by using our live soccer odds page.
Red Star Belgrade Preview
In the middle of last season, Red Star brought back a former manager Vladan Milojević. He was last at the club in the 2020 season and hasn’t had much success since he left.
However, he did have a great tenure in Serbia during his time. In fact, his squad stunned Liverpool with an upset in this competition in 2019.
As for this season, it has been a solid start for Milojević’s team, winning 7-of-9 matches in all competitions. Red Star qualified for the Champions League by defeating Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt 3-2 over two legs.
Red Star are led in attack by Brazilian Bruno Duarte and Senegal international Cherif Ndiaye. The duo has combined for eight goals and three assists in the Serbian SuperLiga, and the two need to have a big game here.
Benfica Preview
This has already been an interesting campaign at Benfica. After just four games, the club sacked the manager to bring in a former one in Bruno Lage.
The former Wolves coach did lead the time to fantastic results domestically during his tenure. The 2018-19 Benfica side racked up 103 goals, tying a club record and the best mark since the 1963-64 campaign.
His first match back in Portugal was a dominant victory, and Lage inherits a team that has a mix of veterans and newcomers.
Some of the mainstays that most fans recognize are Ángel Di María and defender Nicolás Otamendi. With the club splashing the cash to bring in Greek forward Vangelis Pavlidis in the summer, it will be interesting to see what Lage can do in his return.
Red Star Belgrade vs. Benfica Champions League Prediction
If everything was going smoothly at Benfica, it wouldn’t be changing its manager just a month into the new season. Now, oddsmakers are expecting the team to go on the road in the Champions League and get a win in Benfica vs Red Star Belgrade.
I’m just not buying it. So, my best bet is to back Red Star Belgrade on the handicap of +0.5 at -101, which I would bet to -120.
For me, Benfica are a club that has just lost too much talent in recent years, and I’m not sure it has done enough to replace the departures. It is also a team I prefer to back at home.
I also believe Lage can do a good enough job domestically. However, he isn’t someone that I would be expecting to lead a team in this competition.
We’ve seen in recent years how difficult it can be to play at the Rajko Mitić Stadium for visitors, and I think the home side can avoid defeat here.
