Preview: Red Star Belgrade vs. Maccabi Haifa - prediction, team news, lineups

The away side hold a narrow lead from the first leg of the qualifying tie and it is now up to the hosts to redeem themselves in front of their fans.

Match preview

Maccabi Haifa claimed a 3-2 victory over Red Star Belgrade in the sides' Champions League qualifier at the Sammy Ofer Stadium on Wednesday

Barak Bakhar's men opened the scoring through Frantzdy Pierrot before they were pegged back by Aleksandar Pesic and Guelor Kanga after which second-half goals from Pierrot and Tjarron Chery turned the game around.

The Greens from the Carmel have taken a huge step towards securing a return to Europa's premier club tournament for the first time in 12 years.

However, there is still one final assignment for the Israeli giants to navigate away from home where they have only won one of their most recent five matches.

Ahead of the start of their domestic campaign four days later, Tuesday's hosts will be looking to secure a huge feather in the cap on a continental scale.

Red Star Belgrade's defeat in Haifa last Wednesday stopped their seven-game winning run and put their Champions League aspirations in grave danger.

Dejan Stankovic's men, whose last defeat in a competitive outing came back in March, must now bounce back from a rare defeat last time out.

Following two consecutive seasons in the Europa League, the Red-Whites are now in the last chance saloon to avoid missing out on the Champions League for the third successive year.

Red Star Belgrade Champions League form:

Red Star Belgrade form (all competitions):

Maccabi Haifa Champions League form:

Maccabi Haifa form (all competitions):

Team News

Off the back of a two-goal haul in the first leg, Maccabi Haifa forward Frantzdy Pierrot is definitely one to keep a close watch on here.

Midfielder Neta Lavi shook off an injury scare to last the full course of the 90 minutes last Wednesday and he is set to retain his place in the XI.

With goals in both of his last two outings since returning to action for Red Star Belgrade, Aleksandar Pesic will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

Ibrahim Mustapha has missed the last two games with a muscle problem which is set to rule the 22-year-old Ghanaian out of Tuesday's game as well.

Red Star Belgrade possible starting lineup:

Borjan; Erakovic, Milunovic, Dragovic, Rodic; Kangwa, Kanga, Bukari, Ivanic; Pesic, Katai

Maccabi Haifa possible starting lineup:

Cohen; Sundgren, Planic, Goldberg, Cornud; Chery, Lavi, Mohamed; Haziza, Pierrot, David

We say: Red Star Belgrade 2-0 Maccabi Haifa

The onus is more on the home side to rise to the occasion as they currently trail in the tie as things stand. We are tipping Red Star Belgrade to meet up to expectations and turn the tie with a routine victory in front of their fans.

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