Preview: Larne vs Red Star Belgrade – prediction, team news, schedule

Larne will continue their search for the The Champions League on Tuesday, when they face visitors Red Star Belgrade in the first leg of the second qualifying round at Inver Park.

After receiving the Better than Tre Fiori In the first qualifying round, progressing as 3-1 aggregate winners, Larne will hope to capitalize on the second leg against Champions League winners Red Star.

Game preview

The Northern Irish won both of their matches against Tre Fiori in the first qualifying round, winning 1-0 away on July 7 and 2-1 at home on July 14.

That victory represents their only 90-minute win in their last six European matches, and their first double in the Champions League (two wins, one draw, three defeats).

Larne are now unbeaten in their last six matches – five wins and one draw – and have managed to keep five clean sheets in that time.

The Invermen will be hoping to win their fourth successive home game against the visitors, although they have scored just two goals in their last two wins at Inver Park.

It will worry manager Gary Haveron that his side have won just three of their 13 home games in European competitions, losing seven while failing to score six times.

Red Star Belgrade’s game on Tuesday will be their first UEFA match of the 2026-27 season, but they have played one game in the top flight in Serbia, beating Macva Sabac 5-0 on July 17.

The visitors have more experience on the continental stage than their rivals given that they have played 173 times in the Champions League, although they had to settle for the Europa League in 2025-26 after losing in the fourth and final qualifying round.

Red Star ended their Europa League campaign last season with five wins from their last seven games in the competition, with the club winning 1-0 in all five victories.

However, it may bother head coach Dejan Stankovic that his side scored just eight goals in their 10 outings in that competition, and failed to score more than one goal in all of their league games that season, as well as in their two away games.

The Red-Whites come into Tuesday’s meeting looking for a third consecutive 1-0 win away from home in Europe, and will extend their unbeaten run to 17 games, with the win being the 14th in that stretch.

Larne Champions League form:

Larne form (all competitions):

Red Star Belgrade form (all competitions):

Team News

© Iconsport / SOPA Images, SOPA Images Limited / Alamy

Larne could name the same line-up that started the home leg of their tie with Tre Fiori, so expect to see striker Montel Gibson anchoring the attack alongside Matthew Lusty and Conor McKendry.

Goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson could be protected by a central defender between Sam McClelland and Matthew Ridley, and former replacement Daniel Bent.

However, Bent could be used in his natural central role, and could feature alongside Christopher Gallagher and Ronan Doherty.

Red Star midfielder, Rade Krunic, was ruled out due to injury against Macva Sabac, but he can still feature as he has not been sent off for Tuesday’s game.

In the front line, striker Bruno Duarte scored two goals last time out, and he may be able to add to his tally if wide forwards Mirko Ivanic and Loizos Loizou are at their best.

Larne is the first possible plan:

Ferguson; Cosgrove, McClelland, Ridley, Donnelly; Gallagher, Doherty, Bent; McKendry, Gibson, Lusty

Red Star Belgrade likely to start the list:

Gutesa; Seol, Veljkovic, Erakovic, Tiknizyan; Elsnik, Krunic, Fani; Loizou, Duarte, Ivanic

We say: Larne 0-2 Red Star Belgrade

Although Larne will take confidence from their victory in the first qualifying round, their next opponents are of a much higher standard.

Given the defensive strength shown by Red Star in Europe last season, it will not be surprising if they continue to be strong at the back and look for a good result.

For data analysis of the most likely results, score lines and more for this game please click here.