Match Overview

The 2025/26 group stage, Matchday 3, will feature an exciting clash between Kairat (Kazakhstan) and Pafos (Cyprus) on October 21 at the Central Stadium in Almaty. This article provides a comprehensive match preview, including predictions, betting odds, and key statistics for the Kairat vs Pafos encounter.

Kairat’s Current Form

Struggles in the Champions League

Rafael Urazbakhtin’s squad has had a difficult start to the Champions League group stage. Following a tough 1-4 away loss to Sporting, Kairat suffered a heavy 0-5 defeat at home against Real Madrid. This result mirrored Kairat’s largest ever defeat in the Champions League. After two rounds, the Kazakhstani side has conceded 9 goals, marking the worst defensive record in the tournament. Furthermore, the club has only managed to score in one of its last five Champions League matches. Kairat currently sits at the bottom of the table, alongside three other teams yet to earn a point.

Kairat’s Key Statistics

• The Kazakhstani team has failed to win in their last 5 Champions League outings (2 draws, 3 losses).
• At home, Kairat has conceded no more than one goal in 6 of their last 7 Champions League matches.
• The club opened the scoring in 5 of their last 7 home fixtures in this competition.

Kairat’s Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)

Temirlan Anarbekov – Aleksandr Martynovich, Egor Sorokin, Aleksandr Mrynskiy, Erkin Tapalov – Valeriy Gromyko, Ofri Arad, Luis Mata – Damir Kasabulat, Jorginho Costa, Dastan Satpayev.

Goalkeeper Aleksandr Zarutsky is currently injured.

Pafos’ Performance

Recent Form and Defensive Strength

The Cypriot side showed a very similar result in the previous round, losing 1-5 at home to Bayern Munich. This defeat was the first for Juan Carlos Carcedo’s team in the Champions League (after 4 wins and 3 draws). Prior to the match against the Munich giants, the team had not conceded more than one goal in any game. Moreover, Pafos boasts 4 clean sheets in this tournament. With just one point, the islanders currently occupy 32nd place in the standings.

Pafos’ Statistical Highlights

• No more than two goals were scored in 5 of the team’s last 7 Champions League matches.
• The Cypriots found the net in 7 of their last 8 matches in this European competition.
• Pafos remains undefeated in their Champions League away games (3 wins, 1 draw).

Pafos’ Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)

Neofytos Michael – David Gomez Goldar, Derrick Luckassen, David Luiz, Ognjen Mimović – Ivan Šunjić, Vlad Dragomir, Pepe Rodrigues – Mislav Oršić, Jajá, Landry Dimata.

Match Official

Referee Profile

Chris Kavanagh (England)

Referee Statistics (2025/26 International Matches)

Matches officiated – 7;

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 29;

Average yellow cards per match – 3.9;

Red cards shown – 0;

Average fouls per match – 23;

Penalties awarded – 14%.

Kairat vs Pafos Match Prediction

Kairat’s Home Advantage

In the upcoming match, the hosts, Kairat, have a genuine chance to earn points in the Champions League, or even become the first Kazakhstani club to secure a victory in the main stage of this tournament. The Cypriot team, Pafos, is undeniably a step below Kairat’s previous high-profile opponents. Rafael Urazbakhtin’s men suffered an unequivocal defeat against Real Madrid, yet prior to that, they boasted a 6-match unbeaten home streak in this European competition (5 wins, 1 draw). It’s crucial to note that Kairat kept a clean sheet in 5 of those matches.

Pafos’ Resilience

Pafos, however, did not hold up against their first truly formidable opponent. Nevertheless, the Cypriots have already established themselves as a strong and resilient team. I anticipate that Juan Carlos Carcedo’s squad will put up a fight against the Kazakhstani side. Moreover, Pafos remains undefeated in their Champions League away matches (3 wins, 1 draw). It’s also worth mentioning that Pafos has demonstrated reliable defensive play this season; only the formidable Bayern Munich managed to score more than one goal against them.

Final Prediction

In a match featuring two teams known for solid defenses, I lean towards the home side. My prediction is: “Kairat to win or draw and Total Under 3.5 goals” with odds of 1.85.