Red Star Belgrade and Ferencvaros square off in the Europa League on Thursday evening with the two teams having endured contrasting fortunes in Group H.
At a time when the visitors sit in top spot with two impressive victories, the home side occupy bottom place with zero points and just one goal.
Match preview
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Having reached the last 16 of this competition in 2021-22, Red Star would have had high hopes of making similar progress this time around after being presented with a favourable group.
However, defeats to Monaco and Trabzonspor, each by one-goal margins, have left Milos Milojevic's side as outsiders to earn a spot in the knockout stages.
Red Star's domestic form remains strong with nine goals being scored and just one conceded in their last four fixtures, all of which ended in victories.
Nevertheless, those results are to be expected, and Milojevic needs a performance out of his players on Thursday evening if he wants to keep the supporters onside at the Rajko Mitic Stadium.
The goals have been shared around this squad during 2022-23 with no player netting more than four times in the Serbian top flight, Mirko Ivanic and Osman Bukari currently topping the scoring charts.
In sharp contrast to their hosts, Ferencvaros have been sensational thus far, particularly in defeating Monaco on away territory last time out.
Balint Vecsei's 79th-minute goal proved to be the difference against the Ligue 1 giants, backing up his team's dramatic 3-2 success over Trabzonspor on matchday one.
Despite initially being the least-fancied team in the group, Stanislav Cherchesov's team have an opportunity to effectively guarantee European football for after Christmas in Belgrade on Thursday night.
However, a seven-match winning streak in all competitions came to an end on Saturday as they succumbed to a surprise 2-0 defeat at the hands of Kecskemeti, opponents who have now been catapulted into second place in the Hungarian top flight.
Team News
Red Star will have to make do without Kings Kangwa, who is suspended for being dismissed for two yellow cards at Trabzonspor.
With the home side needing to get points on the board, Ivanic could be brought into the side in central midfield.
Aleksandar Katari is an option on the flank if Milojevic moves to a three-man attack.
Ferencvaros will be able to call upon Eldar Civic after the left-back served his one-match ban for his sending off versus Trabzonspor on matchday one.
However, after defeat at the weekend, Cherchesov may be prepared to revert back to the side which impressed at Stade Louis II, barring any fitness issues.
Franck Boli will hope to earn a recall in place of Ryan Mmaee down the middle of the attack.
Red Star Belgrade possible starting lineup:
Borjan; Erakovic, Dragovic, Milunovic; Srnic, Sanogo, Nikolic, Kangwa, Rodic; Bukari, Pesic
Ferencvaros possible starting lineup:
Dibusz; Wingo, S. Mmaee, Knoester, Botka; Laidoumi, Besic; Zachariassen, Nguen, Traore; R. Mmaee
We say: Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Ferencvaros
Despite their respective positions in the group, this match should be far more competitive than many will anticipate. Although the visitors are the team in form, Red Star are far stronger at their home ground, and we anticipate a competitive share of the spoils being played out in Serbia.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
