Monaco vs Red Star Belgrade Prediction: Hosts should be too strong

The Uefa Champions League is back this week with another stellar line-up of games from across Europe. First from the blocks will be Monaco and Red Star Belgrade as they face off at the Stade Louis II in the Principality on Tuesday evening (17:45, TNT Sports 4).

Monaco stunned Barcelona on matchday one and picked up a point on the road last time at Dinamo Zagreb, while Red Star have been beaten home and away by Benfica and Inter Milan. Below you can find my Monaco vs Red Star Belgrade prediction alongside all the latest team news.

Team News

Vanderson, Breel Embolo and Maghnes Akliouche were omitted from the starting XI against Lille on Friday after their international exploits but they are all contenders to come back in now for Monaco.

Folarin Balogun dislocated his shoulder before the international break and is out for a couple of months, while Mohammed Salisu picked up a muscle problem on Ghana duty.

Football Odds

Red Star were 5-1 winners at the weekend despite Cherif Ndiaye, Silas, Vanja Drkusic and goalkeeper Omri Glazer being rested. That quartet will be pushing for inclusion but Mirko Ivanic and Ognjen Mimovic are still sidelined.

Monaco vs Red Star Belgrade Odds

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Monaco are 4/11 favourites to get their second home win of the Champions League campaign, while Red Star are 7/1 for an away win and the draw is priced at 4/1.

Over 3.5 goals is priced at 5/4, while both teams to score is an 8/11 chance. Breel Embolo is 9/2 to open the scoring for the home side.

Handicap +1 - Monaco -1 @ 10/11

Monaco remain unbeaten this season and are joint-top of Ligue 1 alongside Paris Saint-Germain.

They had a scare on Friday night, drawing 0-0 at home to Lille, but it was a welcome point for Adi Hutter's side after Jordan Teze's red card on the hour left them with their backs against the wall.

They've scored four times in two Champions League games, coming from 0-2 down to earn a draw against Dinamo on matchday two as they built on the opening night win over Barca.

They also have good memories of facing Red Star, winning 4-1 at home and 1-0 in Belgrade when they last met two seasons ago.

Monaco have the opportunity to go three games unbeaten to start their Champions League campaign for the first time since 2016/17 and they should have the quality to grasp it.

Red Star are in fine fettle domestically, winning their last nine games, but it has been a different story in Europe, with three defeats in four so far.

Monaco should get home with a bit to spare in this one against a visiting side with 11 straight Champions League away defeats.

First Half Total Goals - Over 1.5 @ 5/4

Red Star conceded twice in the first half at home to Benfica on matchday one.

Monaco and Barcelona exchanged first-half goals here in their opening game, while there were three first-half goals in Monaco's Ligue 1 win at Rennes just before the international break and Red Star were 3-0 at half-time on Friday against Radnicki Nis in the Serbian top tier.

A fast start could be incoming at the Stade Louis II once more and over 1.5 first-half goals is a fair shout.

Offers

Place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any Champions League game on Tuesday or Wednesday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Thursday’s Europa League/Europa Conference League games. (Credited upon Bet Settlement).

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