Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League match.
The opening two rounds have shown that Kairat will struggle to compete even for a top-24 spot, but the home clash against Pafos in Almaty could be their best opportunity to pick up points or claim their first Champions League win.
Kairat
To be fair, Kairat’s first two fixtures were brutal — especially against Real Madrid, who arrived in Kazakhstan with Kylian Mbappé in the starting XI. Few sides could have withstood that attack, and the 0:5 scoreline was made worse by the absence of both first-choice goalkeepers. Their 18-year-old understudy, Sherkhan Kalmurza, has been forced to deputise while the senior keepers recover. Ironically, Kairat reached the group stage largely thanks to their defensive solidity — several clean sheets against Celtic — when the full-strength pair were still available.
Pafos
For Pafos, the final hurdle on their way to Europe’s elite was Crvena Zvezda (1:1, 2:1). The Cypriots began their group campaign admirably, holding Olympiacos to a goalless draw in Greece despite being reduced to ten men in the 25th minute. The 1:5 defeat to Bayern Munich that followed was no surprise — the Germans are in devastating form. Unlike Kairat, who have been absent from continental competitions for two years, Pafos reached the Round of 16 in last season’s Conference League and boast a stronger, more balanced squad this time around.
Kairat vs Pafos Prediction
Kairat’s home support will help to level the field, but the visitors’ experience and superior depth give them the edge. Expect Pafos to avoid defeat.
