Europa League Showdown: Malmö FF Host Red Star Belgrade in Crucial Encounter
Malmö FF will host Serbian powerhouse Red Star Belgrade in a crucial UEFA Europa League Matchday 7 encounter. Sitting 34th with just one point, Malmö are desperate for a win to salvage their European campaign, while Red Star, currently 17th with 10 points, aim to solidify their position in the league phase. This match carries significant stakes for both sides, albeit for different reasons.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
This UEFA Europa League match is a critical Matchday 7 encounter for Malmö FF. The Swedish hosts are currently languishing in 34th place in the league-phase table with just one point from six matches, remaining winless so far. Their attacking output has been lackluster, with only three goals scored in six games, while their defense has conceded twelve goals. New manager Miguel Ángel Ramírez, appointed on January 1, 2026, has inherited a struggling team and is reportedly using European fixtures as preparation for the domestic championship. For Red Star Belgrade, sitting 17th with 10 points, this fixture is vital for solidifying their position in the league phase. Red Star entered the Europa League league stage after being eliminated in the UEFA Champions League play-off round for the 2025-26 season. They also recently underwent a coaching change, with Dejan Stanković replacing Vladan Milojević on December 22, 2025.
Recent Form
Malmö FF's recent form in the Europa League has been dismal, reflecting their struggles. Their last five official matches show a record of four losses and one draw: a 2-1 away defeat to Porto, a 3-0 loss at home to Nottingham Forest, a 1-0 home loss to Panathinaikos, a 1-1 home draw against Dinamo Zagreb, and a 3-0 away defeat to Viktoria Plzen. Red Star Belgrade has displayed more consistent form, with their last five official matches resulting in two wins, one draw, and two losses: a 2-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg on January 15, 2026, a 4-0 win against Mladost, a 0-0 draw with FK TSC, a 1-0 loss to Vojvodina, and a 4-3 defeat to OFK Belgrade.
Key Players & Injury News
Key players for Malmö FF include their most valuable asset, left midfielder Hugo Bolin, captain and central midfielder Anders Christiansen, left winger Arnór Sigurðsson, as well as striker Erik Botheim and winger Sead Hakšabanović. On the injury front, defender Jens Stryger Larsen is sidelined due to concussion. Attacking midfielder Arnór Sigurðsson has recently recovered but is not yet fit enough to play a full match. Midfielder Otto Rosengren is also nursing a foot injury, making his participation doubtful. For Red Star Belgrade, key players include their most valuable attacking midfielder Vasilije Kostov, captain Mirko Ivanić, and top league scorer Aleksandar Katai, alongside defender Miloš Veljković and experienced forward Marko Arnautović. Red Star is grappling with significant injury woes, with Isaiah Canaan out long-term due to an ACL injury, Tyson Carter facing a lengthy absence from pulmonary embolism, and Jasiel Rivero expected to be sidelined for several months with a foot injury. Ognjen Dobric is also dealing with persistent back problems, with an uncertain return timeline.