The second leg of the 2025/26 Champions League qualification playoff between Kairat (Kazakhstan) and Celtic (Scotland) will take place on August 26 at the Central Stadium in Almaty. The first match ended 0-0. Kairat vs. Celtic: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Kairat
Rafael Urazbakhtin's side surprised everyone in the first leg by not losing in Scotland. The team spent almost the entire match in defense (25% possession) but managed to keep a clean sheet against their opponents – 0-0. It's worth noting that the Kazakh team has now gone three consecutive away matches in this tournament without scoring. To reach the main stage of the Champions League for the first time, the Almaty team needs to win at home.
- The club has not lost in 90 minutes in 8 of their last 11 Champions League matches (5 wins and 3 draws).
- At least one team failed to score in regulation time in Kairat's last 6 matches in this tournament.
- No more than two goals were scored in 90 minutes in 6 of Kairat's last 7 games in this European competition.
Predicted lineup for Kairat (4-3-3)
Alexander Zarutsky – Alexander Martynovich, Yegor Sorokin, Alexander Myrinsky, Erkin Tapalov – Valery Gromyko, Ofri Arad, Dan Glazer – Edmilson Filho, Jorginho Costa, Dastan Satpayev.
Forward Dastan Satpayev is out due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Celtic
The team spent almost the entire match pressuring the Kazakh goal but failed to break through the opponent's defense. Brendan Rodgers' side controlled the ball 75% of the time and took 15 corners, but only managed 3 shots on target against Kairat. As a result, Celtic has failed to win in this European competition for four consecutive matches (2 draws and 2 losses). They now need to win away, and if the match ends in a draw after 90 minutes, extra time will be played.
- The Scots have only 2 wins in regulation time in their last 9 Champions League games (5 draws and 2 losses).
- A maximum of two goals were scored in 90 minutes in 5 of Celtic's last 7 matches in this tournament.
- The club has not won in regulation time in their last 13 away matches in this European competition (6 draws and 7 losses).
Predicted lineup for Celtic (4-3-3)
Kasper Schmeichel – Kieran Tierney, Liam Scales, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston – Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, James Forrest – Daizen Maeda, Adam Idah, Benjamin Nygren.
Referee
Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
Matches – 13 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 47;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.6;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 38%.
Match Prediction: Kairat vs. Celtic
The Almaty side is on the verge of reaching the main stage of the Champions League. The Kazakhs are well aware of their opponents and are unlikely to make significant changes to their strategy compared to the first match, where Kairat focused on defense. Rafael Urazbakhtin's team will likely concede possession to their opponents and rely on counterattacks.
Interestingly, Kairat has won all five of their previous home matches in the Champions League, conceding just one goal in the process. The Almaty team can hope for a positive outcome in the return leg, as the Scots have struggled away from home. In their last 13 away matches in this European competition, Celtic has not won once and has only scored more than one goal on one occasion.
My prediction: Kairat with a handicap (+1.5)
