The Round 7 match of the main stage of the 2025/26 Europa League between Malmö and Crvena Zvezda will take place on 22 january at Malmö New Stadium. Malmö vs Crvena Zvezda: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Malmö
Malmö lost away to Porto (1:2) in the previous round. That was the visitors' fifth defeat in the group stage of the 2025/26 Europa League. The club conceded even in the only match in which it managed to take a point. That draw, however, leaves the home side with only theoretical chances of fighting for the play-offs, with a gap of 6 points. That opportunity will disappear if the team loses the upcoming game. In addition, only Maccabi Tel Aviv (2) has scored fewer goals than the Scandinavians (3).
- The Swedes conceded first in 5 of their previous 6 Europa League matches.
- At home in this competition Malmö has failed to win in 10 of their last 11 games (2 draws, 8 defeats).
- The club scored in 5 of its last 6 home matches in the Europa League.
Potential Malmö Lineup (4-4-2)*
Robin Olsen – Jens Larsen, Gabriel Buzanello, Colin Rösler, Pontus Jansson – Kenan Busuladžić, Lasse Jönsson, Adrian Skugmar, Theodor Lundberg – Salifu Suma, Sead Haksabanovic.
Midfielder Otto Rosengren and defender Jens Stryger Larsen are injured.
Crvena Zvezda
A victory over Sturm in the previous round was the visitors' third straight win in the Europa League. Interestingly, all three matches finished 1:0. Before this run the side had conceded across 12 consecutive games in this competition. Having collected 10 points, the visitors sit 17th in the main standings. Crvena Zvezda can both climb into the top eight and finish its Europa League campaign. The club also has the lowest number of goals scored among the first 24 teams – 5 goals.
Dejan Stanković was appointed head coach in December.
- The Serbs scored more than once in only 1 of 7 consecutive Europa League matches.
- Away in this competition the team lost 6 of their previous 7 matches (1 win).
- At least three goals were scored in 5 of the last 7 away games for the visitors in the Europa League.
Potential Crvena Zvezda Lineup (4-4-2)*
Mateus – Sol Jen U, Stefan Lekovic, Nikola Stankovic, Rodrigan – Rade Krunic, Mirko Ivanić, Vasilije Kostov, Timi Elšnik – Marko Arnautovic, Bruno Duarte.
Defender Tebo Franklin and forward Šavi Babika did not travel with the team for the away match.
Referee
Sascha Stegemann (Germany)
Matches – 5 (International matches, 2025/26);
Yellow/Second Yellow Cards Shown – 14;
Average Yellow/Second Yellow Cards Per Match – 2.8;
Red Cards Shown – 0;
Fouls Per Match On Average – 25;
Penalties – 40%.
Malmö vs Crvena Zvezda: Match Prediction
Poor results in the domestic championship and the Europa League forced Malmö's board to change the head coach. It is unlikely that the Spanish specialist will be able to radically transform the team's play in such a short time, especially in the creative phase. The home side are the worst in the current Europa League campaign by xG and second from bottom by goals scored. In general it is hard to expect high scoring from the club: Malmö have failed to score more than once in 8 of their last 11 home matches in this tournament. At the same time, defensive lapses are usually conceded only on the road.
The visitors have found a recipe for success: solid defensive work and high conversion of few chances helped Crvena Zvezda move into the play-off zone. The team is unlikely to force the issue; a draw will probably suit the visitors, and it will not be that difficult to secure if they once again play strictly at the back. The club already has 3 clean sheets, a better figure was recorded by only three opponents. The Serbs score at the level of lower-third teams.
Prediction: Under 2.5 goals
* The starting lineup for each team is indicated from their previous match.
