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Peter Green - July 22, 2019
Red Star Belgrade vs HJK
Champions League Qualification
Date: Wednesday, 24 July 2019
Kick-off at 19:45 UK/ 20:45 CET
Venue: Stadion Rajko Mitić (Belgrade).
HJK was the finest in Finland the last season but has completely fallen apart as far as their reputation of being the ‘top dog’ is concerned. After posting a lead of 16 points at the top of the table by the end of their campaign, the squad now sits at the fifth position, and that too with two extra games played.
Red Star, meanwhile has begun reminding the bangs of last season. They won their opener against Javor and kept a clean sheet to accompany their win. Last time, they had scored a total of 80 goals through the regular schedule, while none had even managed to cross the 60-mark.
Belgrade was unbeaten in 30 of their last 33 matches and had a long run of 18 ties without a single loss in the midst of this run, of which 17 were wins. At home, they went without a loss in 21 of their last 24. Of these, 20 were wins too.
Moreover, the squad scored two or more goals in 19 of their last 24 home fixtures, while keeping clean sheets in five of their last ten. Also, their defense was breached just five times in total the last ten times they lined in front of the home crowd.
Opponents HJK was winless in five of their last eight match-ups and was so in eight of their last eleven on the road. They also failed to keep a clean sheet in six of their last nine road trips.
Importantly, at their home, the Serbians are rightfully considered favorites over the struggling visitors.
