Match Overview

The decisive return leg of the 2025/26 Champions League qualification playoff between Kazakhstan’s Kairat and Scotland’s Celtic is set for August 26 at the Central Stadium in Almaty. The first encounter ended in a goalless draw, 0-0.

Kairat Team Analysis

Kairat’s Performance and Strategy

Rafael Urazbakhtin’s squad pulled off a surprise in the initial fixture, managing to avoid defeat in Scotland. The team spent nearly the entire match defending (with only 25% possession), yet they successfully kept a clean sheet, finishing 0-0. It’s also worth noting that the Kazakh side has now gone three consecutive away matches in this tournament without scoring. To advance to the Champions League group stage for the first time in their history, Kairat must secure a home victory in regular time.

Kairat Key Statistics

• Kairat has avoided defeat in 8 of their last 11 Champions League matches within 90 minutes (5 wins, 3 draws).
• At least one team has failed to score in regular time in 6 of Kairat’s last 6 matches in this competition.
• No more than two goals were scored in regular time in 6 of Almaty’s last 7 games in this European tournament.

Kairat’s Predicted Line-up (4-3-3)*

Alexander Zarutsky – Alexander Martynovich, Egor Sorokin, Alexander Mrynsky, Yerkin Tapalov – Valery Gromyko, Ofri Arad, Dan Glazer – Edmilson Filho, Jorginho Costa, Dastan Satpaev.

Celtic Team Analysis

Celtic’s Performance and Challenges

Celtic relentlessly pressured the Kazakh goal for almost the entire match but ultimately failed to breach the visitors’ defense. Despite Brendan Rodgers’ side dominating possession with 75% and taking 15 corners, they only managed 3 shots on target against Kairat. As a result, Celtic’s winless streak in this European competition now extends to 4 matches (2 draws, 2 defeats). They now face the challenge of securing an away victory; should the match end in a draw after 90 minutes, extra time will be played.

Celtic Key Statistics

• The Scottish side has secured only 2 victories in regular time across their last 9 Champions League matches (5 draws, 2 defeats).
• A maximum of two goals were scored in 90 minutes in 5 of Celtic’s last 7 matches in this competition.
• Celtic has failed to win in regular time in their last 13 away matches in this European cup (6 draws, 7 defeats).

Celtic’s Predicted Line-up (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 Profile

Match Official

Maurizio Mariani (Italy)

Referee’s Statistics

Matches – 13 (International fixtures, 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 awarded – 38%.

Kairat vs Celtic Match Prediction

Strategic Outlook

The Almaty side is just one step away from reaching the Champions League group stage. Fully aware of their opponent’s strength, the Kazakhs are unlikely to drastically alter their game plan from the first leg, where they adopted a highly defensive approach. Rafael Urazbakhtin’s men will probably concede possession to the opponent once more, focusing on robust defense and aiming for counter-attacks.

Key Factors & Betting Insight

Intriguingly, Kairat has won all five of their previous home matches in the Champions League, conceding only 1 goal in total during these games. The Almaty team can reasonably expect a positive outcome in this return fixture, especially given Celtic’s struggles away from home. In their last 13 away encounters in this European competition, Celtic has failed to secure a single victory, managing to score more than one goal only once in this entire streak.

My Final Prediction

My forecast is: Kairat with a (+1.5) handicap with odds of 1.53

Author

Author: Oleksandr Oleksenko

Disclaimer

* For each team, the starting lineup from their previous match in this tournament is indicated.