Pyunik will entertain Red Star Belgrade at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in the second leg of third-round qualifying for the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
The first leg in Belgrade last week ended in a resounding 5-0 win for the then-hosts, with Osman Bukari bagging a hat-trick. Milan Rodic picked up an unnecessary red card in the 89th minute of the game but that had no impact on the outcome of the game. They have virtually secured their passage into the playoffs.
Pyunik have been punching above their weight in the qualification campaign thus far but were humbled in the first leg. They face an uphill task of overturning a five-goal deficit and will be hoping that home advantage comes into play in this match.
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The two sides met for the first time last week. Red Star Belgrade dominated the proceedings in the reverse fixture and just need to avoid a loss by five or more goals here, which should be a fairly easy task.
The ball is now in the hosts' court and they need to produce a fighting display.
Pyunik form guide (all competitions): L-L-W-L-W
Red Star Belgrade (all competitions): W-W-W-W-W
Pyunik vs Red Star Belgrade Team News
Pyunik
There are no reported absentees for the hosts, so they will be able to field a strong starting XI here.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Unavailable: None
Red Star Belgrade
Radovan Pankov and Nenad Krstičić have not been included in the squad for the third-round qualifiers due to injuries and will play no part in this fixture. Milan Rodić was red-carded in the first leg and will serve a one-match ban.
Pyunik (4-3-3): David Yurchenko (GK); Luka Juričić, Zambrano Tillero Renzo Jose, Alexander González, Hovhannes Harutyunyan; Juninho, David Davidyan, Eugeniu Cociuc; Artak Dashyan, Yusuf Otubanjo, Zoran Gajić
Red Star Belgrade (4-2-3-1): Milan Borjan (GK); Marko Gobeljić, Nemanja Milunović, Aleksandar Dragović, Strahinja Eraković; Kings Kangwa, Guélor Kanga; Stefan Mitrović, Osman Bukari, Mirko Ivanić; Aleksandar Pešić
2 for 1 New Player Bonus at BarstoolPyunik vs Red Star Belgrade Prediction
Pyunik have not scored in their two away games in the qualifying phase thus far and that does not bode well for them ahead of this game. They will already be under pressure to at least reduce the deficit on aggregate, if not overcome it completely.