Crvena Zvezda v Barcelona: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Crvena Zvezda were one of just six teams to lose their first three games in the new-look UEFA Champions League league phase and they are not expected to get their first points on Wednesday either as Spanish giants Barcelona head to Serbia.

Barca have won six games in a row in all competitions, a run that includes two wide-margin victories in this tournament over stronger opposition than they will face in Belgrade.

The Spanish side were upset in their opening game of the league phase, losing 2-1 in Monaco, but they have won 13 of their 15 matches in all competitions this season.

Crvena Zvezda v Barcelona betting tips and predictions

Barcelona -2 on handicap - 6/5

There is a marked difference between Crvena Zvezda's performances at home and on the road in the Champions League and they have been much more competitive in front of their own fans, but it would be a surprise if Barcelona are dragged into a fight in this match.

The Serbian side have been thrashed 4-0 at Inter and 5-1 at Monaco in their last two games in this competition, but opened up with a much tighter contest at home to Benfica in September. They went 2-0 behind in the first half-hour that day but did not collapse and reduced the arrears with an 86th-minute goal from Milson in a respectable 2-1 defeat.

They remain the top dogs in the Serbian Super League and hold a double-figure lead after just 13 games, but the step up to continental competition has often proved beyond them.

Last season they lost all three of their away UEFA Champions League group games by two goals but managed a draw and two one-goal losses at home, including a 3-2 defeat to Manchester City.

Barca are in phenomenal form, though, averaging four goals per game in their current winning streak. The five games before Sunday's 3-1 win over Espanyol saw them win by at least three goals each time and they can be fancied to cover a handicap of two goals in Belgrade.

Over 3.5 goals - 10/11

Four or more goals have been scored in nine of Barcelona's last 12 matches, including their stunning 4-0 rout of Real Madrid in their latest away game.

Crvena Zvezda are also used to featuring in high-scoring contests, with their first three UEFA Champions League games generating 13 goals. 

They scored only two of those goals, while conceding 11, but they are prolific scorers in their domestic league and their 3-0 win against Vojvodina on Sunday was the first time in seven matches that they featured in a game with fewer than four goals. Their three UEFA Champions League home games last season produced 12 goals.

Barcelona have scored at least three times in each of their last six matches and are unlikely to want to leave the outcome of this match in any doubt given the home side's doggedness and ability to rouse themselves for a strong finish.

Raphinha anytime goalscorer - 21/20

Brazilian winger Raphinha was the star of the show for Barcelona in their impressive 4-1 UEFA Champions League win over Bayern Munich two weeks ago and he can strike again in Serbia.

The former Leeds star opened the scoring in the first minute of that game and put Barca 3-1 up just before half-time, completing his hat-trick in the 56th minute.

He has gone on to score in both of Barcelona's subsequent games, netting the final goal in the 4-0 win at Real Madrid and his team's second in Sunday's derby success against Espanyol.

He has a history of excelling against weaker opponents, scoring a hat-trick in the 7-0 hammering of Valladolid in late August, and can continue his scoring streak in Belgrade.

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Crvena Zvezda v Barcelona odds

Crvena Zvezda - 12/1
Draw - 13/2
Barcelona - 2/11

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.

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