The first match of the 2025/26 Champions League third qualifying round between Kairat (Kazakhstan) and Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia) will take place on August 6 at the Central Stadium in Almaty. Kairat vs. Slovan Bratislava: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Kairat
Rafael Urazbakhtin's team surprised everyone in the previous qualification stage. In the first leg against KuPS, the Kazakh side lost 0-2 away, but managed a convincing comeback with a 3-0 victory in the return leg. Interestingly, all three goals were scored before halftime. This marks the first time Kairat has reached the third qualifying round of the Champions League in its history.
- The Almaty team has not lost in regular time in 6 of their last 8 Champions League matches (4 wins, 2 draws).
- Exactly two or three goals have been scored in 7 of Kairat's last 8 games in this European competition.
- Kazakhstan's side has only won in regular time at their home ground in the Champions League (5 wins).
Predicted lineup for Kairat (4-3-3)
Alexander Zarutskiy – Alexander Martynovich, Damir Kasabulat, Egor Sorokin, Luis Mata – Erkin Tapalov, Valery Gromyko, Ofri Arad – Edmilson Filho, Jorginho Costa, Dastan Satpayev.
Midfielder Giorgi Zaria will miss the game due to suspension.
Slovan Bratislava
The Slovak side had no trouble in the previous qualification stage against Zrinjski. They thrashed their opponent 4-0 at home and drew 2-2 in Bosnia. Before facing the Balkan team, Bratislava had a streak of 8 losses in the Champions League. However, this rough patch occurred during the group stage of the previous tournament.
- At least 4 goals have been scored in regular time in Slovan's last 7 matches in this tournament.
- Both teams scored in 6 of the last 7 Champions League matches involving the Slovak side.
- The team is on an 8-match winless streak away in this European competition (4 draws, 4 losses in regular time).
Predicted lineup for Slovan Bratislava (4-2-3-1)
Dominik Takac – Guram Kashia, Kenan Bajric, Cesar Blackman, Sandro Cruz – Peter Pokorny, Rash Rahim Ibrahim – Vladimir Weiss, Marko Tolic, Tigran Barseghyan – Mykola Kuharevich.
Referee
Serdar Gözübüyük (Netherlands)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 51;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.1;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 50%.
Kairat vs. Slovan Bratislava: Match Prediction
The Almaty team is one step closer to reaching the main round of the Champions League. This has been achieved thanks to the support of their fans and their persistence in attack. The club is strong at home and has only won in this tournament, scoring at least two goals in all five of their home Champions League games.
Slovak clubs rarely play in the autumn stage of the Champions League, but last season Bratislava finally managed to reach the main stage of this European competition. However, their stay in the elite was not pleasant – the team lost all 8 matches, conceding at least two goals in each. In general, Slovan is not known for their defensive play, conceding two or more goals in 10 of their last 11 Champions League matches. At the same time, the Slovak side rarely leaves the field without scoring – they have found the net in their last 7 matches in this tournament.
Considering all these factors, I predict Total over 2.5 goals.
