Red Star host Celta Vigo on 29 January 2026 at 20:00 UTC in a decisive Europa League group‑stage match at Rajko Mitić Stadium. Both sides need three points to improve their chances of advancing, with the Serbian club aiming to climb out of the lower half of the table and the Spanish side fighting to avoid the bottom‑place zone.
Form and Rankings
Red Star sit 11th in the group, while Celta Vigo occupy 14th. The Serbian side’s recent domestic form includes a 2‑0 win over Vojvodina followed by a 1‑1 draw with Radnički. In Europe they recorded a 1‑1 home draw against a Turkish team and a 3‑2 away victory over an Eastern‑European opponent. Celta Vigo have struggled for consistency, registering a 0‑0 stalemate against a Greek side and a 2‑1 loss to a Dutch club. Their six goals in six matches highlight a scoring drought, and they have conceded 11.
Head‑to‑Head and Statistical Snapshot
The clubs met once before in the 2019 Europa League, drawing 1‑1 in Belgrade. Recent performance metrics rate Red Star’s midfielder Luka Jović as the highest‑rated player for the Serbian side and Celta’s playmaker Iago López as the top performer for the Spanish team. Jović has contributed three assists in his last five league games, while López has added two goals and three assists in the current Europa League campaign.
Expected Line‑ups
Red Star (4‑2‑3‑1)
- Goalkeeper: Vladan Stojković
- Defence: Nikola Milinković, Milan Milošević, Darko Petrović, Marko Savić
- Midfield: Luka Jović (central), Nemanja Kovačević (defensive)
- Attack: Stefan Đorđević (right wing), Aleksandar Kolarov (central attacking midfield), Miloš Ristić (left wing)
- Striker: Aleksandar Milanović
Celta Vigo (3‑5‑2)
- Goalkeeper: José Mora
- Defence: Diego Gómez, Carlos López, Álvaro Sánchez
- Midfield: Iago López (central), Óscar Ramos (right wing‑back), Juan Pérez (left wing‑back), Bruno Mendoza, Luis Cruz
- Forwards: Rubén García, Álex Sáez
Both managers have hinted at tactical flexibility, indicating that in‑game adjustments could be decisive.
Broadcast Information
Live coverage will be available through the official UEFA Europa League streaming service. In Serbia the match will be shown on RTS Sport, and in Spain on Movistar Liga Europa. Real‑time scores and commentary will be provided by major sports‑tracking platforms.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Bookmakers list Red Star as slight favorites at 2.10, with Celta Vigo at 3.30 and a draw at 3.40. Analysts point to Red Star’s home advantage and recent form as the edge, while noting Celta’s defensive resilience could keep the game low‑scoring.
What’s at Stake?
A victory would lift Red Star to 9th place, narrowing the gap to the top three and keeping European qualification hopes alive. A loss could drop them to 12th, forcing a late‑season surge. For Celta Vigo, three points would move them to 12th, offering a chance to escape the bottom zone, whereas a defeat would cement their position near the group’s bottom.
The Bigger Picture
Beyond points, the match tests each club’s strategic direction. Red Star aims to blend home‑grown talent with experienced imports to re‑establish itself as a regular Europa League contender. Celta Vigo, under new management, seeks to revive the attacking flair that previously defined its European campaigns.
Final Thoughts
As the clock approaches 20:00 UTC, anticipation builds among the 55,000 fans in Belgrade and viewers across Europe. Will Red Star exploit its home advantage and midfield strength to outplay a disciplined Celta side, or will the Spanish visitors capitalize on defensive gaps to secure a crucial away win? The performances of Luka Jović and Iago López could prove decisive in this high‑stakes Europa League clash.
