Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League Qualifying match.
Last week’s first leg in Glasgow ended 0:0, leaving plenty to play for in Almaty. But Kairat’s absences could tilt the balance firmly in Celtic’s favour.
Kairat
The Kazakh champions extended their winless run to three matches with that stalemate. Coach Rafael Urazbakhtin set up his side deep, conceding possession (25-75%) and failing to register a single shot on target (0-3). Defensively, they limited Celtic to just 0.56 xGA, but the price has been heavy. Playmaker Dastan Satpaev is suspended after accumulating bookings, while first-choice goalkeeper Aleksandr Zarutskiy was forced off injured in the 75th minute and will miss the return, leaving Temirlan Anarbekov to step in. Without Satpayev’s creativity, chances will be even harder to come by.
Celtic
Celtic didn’t go all-out in the first leg but still controlled proceedings. The midfield trio of Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor and Benjamin Nygren dictated play, and the team managed 11 shots, though they lacked the finishing touch. Domestically, Celtic have been ruthless — their 3:0 win over Livingston was their fourth straight victory in the league, keeping momentum high.
Kairat vs Celtic Prediction
Expect a similar pattern to the Glasgow match, with Celtic dictating play and Kairat relying on counter-attacks. But the hosts’ key absences — Satpayev and Zarutsky — are likely to prove decisive.
