Celtic — Kairat : Match Preview and Prediction for August 20,2025

Celtic’s Pre-Season and Early Season Form

Celtic’s pre-season campaign proved to be both productive and quite inconsistent. They managed impressive victories over Sporting (3-2) and Newcastle (4-0), yet also faced defeats against Estrela (2-3) and Ajax (1-5). Despite this mixed “pre-season” period, it appears to have had no negative impact on the Bhoys’ performance in domestic competitions. They confidently secured wins against St Mirren (1-0) and Aberdeen (2-0) in the Scottish Premiership, in addition to a commanding 4-1 victory over Falkirk in the League Cup.

Continued Domestic Dominance and European Aspirations

The home side continues to assert its dominance in the national championship, having triumphed in 13 of the last 14 editions. This consistent success has consistently secured them a direct path to the Champions League group stage. Last season, for instance, they remarkably reached the Round of 16, where they were unfortunately eliminated by Bayern Munich (aggregate: 2-3) in a truly heartbreaking encounter. However, this year, they are required to overcome just one qualification round to once again participate in the main stage of the competition.

Squad Stability and Strategic Signings

At the request of Brendan Rodgers, Celtic’s management successfully retained the core of their squad, with the sole departure being Gustaf Lagerbielke (to Braga). Concurrently, they have bolstered their roster by signing two promising talents: Shin Yamada from Kawasaki and Benjamin Nygren from Nordsjaelland.

Jota’s Ongoing Injury Setback

Brendan Rodgers is still unable to call upon the services of Jota, who remains in recovery from a long-term injury.

Kairat’s Champions League Ambitions

Kairat stands on the cusp of replicating Astana’s remarkable achievement from the 2015/16 season, when they successfully advanced to the Champions League group stage. To achieve this significant milestone, only one hurdle remains, though it promises to be exceptionally difficult.

Domestic Form and Schedule Management

The Almaty side possesses a distinct advantage in terms of match readiness, as the Kazakhstan championship is currently in full swing, with 20 rounds already completed. They had maintained the top spot for an extended period, but due to the Kazakhstan Football Federation’s refusal to reschedule their most recent league fixture, head coach Rafael Urazbakhtin was compelled to prioritize and rest some key players. This decision ultimately led to a 2-3 home defeat against Elimay. Consequently, Kairat has now dropped to second place, ceding the lead to Astana.

An Impressive European Qualification Journey

However, the Champions League is currently the paramount focus for the visitors, where they have remarkably progressed through three out of four qualification stages. While their victories over Olimpija Ljubljana (1-1, 2-0) and KuPS (0-2, 3-0) might not be met with overwhelming surprise, Slovan Bratislava was undoubtedly considered the clear favorite in their tie. The “Yellow-Blacks” managed to snatch a crucial 1-0 victory at home in the final moments. In Bratislava, as anticipated, the hosts dominated possession and had numerous chances to secure progression within regular time. However, the Kazakh team not only managed to maintain a minimal goal difference but ultimately advanced by winning the penalty shootout, showcasing their resilience.

Key Player Absences and Defensive Solidity

While Rafael Urazbakhtin’s squad has demonstrated an ability to cope without Elder Santana, the absence of Joao Paulo, last season’s top scorer, significantly impacts their attacking threat. Nonetheless, the team’s generally reliable and robust defense continues to play a pivotal role in their overall performance.