Kairat Almaty vs Celtic prediction 26.08.2025 | UEFA Champions League
Kick off:
Date:
1
5.22
X
4.37
2
1.58
Contents
- Competition: UEFA Champions League
- Date: 26th August, 2025
- Kickoff: 17:45 UK / 18:45 CEST
- Venue: Central Stadium
After a disappointing display at Celtic Park on Wednesday against Kairat Almaty—where Celtic managed just seven shots on goal despite enjoying 72% possession—Brendan Rodgers’ side will be aiming for a much more efficient performance in Tuesday’s decisive second leg. With the tie finely balanced at 0–0, both teams have everything to play for at the Central Stadium in Kazakhstan.
vs Head to Head (H2H) stats
-
Celtic
0 : 0
Kairat Almaty
Champions League
Before last week’s first-leg encounter at Celtic Park, Kairat and Celtic had never faced each other in European competition. Wednesday’s match in Almaty will therefore mark only the second meeting between the two clubs.
Kairat Almaty team overview
Although Kairat failed to register a single shot on target in the first leg, they remained competitive throughout the match with a well-organized defensive display that limited the Scottish champions to very few clear chances. The Kazakh champions are known for their aggressive defensive approach—averaging 3.5 yellow cards per game—and their swift, counter-attacking style when in possession. A similar strategy can be expected in the second leg.
Last matches of
-
Celtic
0 : 0
Kairat Almaty
Champions League
-
Kairat Almaty
2 : 3
Yelimay Semey
Premier League
-
Slovan Bratislava
3 : 4
Kairat Almaty
Champions League
-
Kairat Almaty
1 : 0
Slovan Bratislava
Champions League
-
Kairat Almaty
1 : 0
Ulytau
Premier League
lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Aleksandr Zarutskiy
Defenders
-
24
Aleksandr Mrynskiy
-
14
Aleksandr Martynovich
-
80
Egor Sorokin
-
20
Erkin Tapalov
Midfielders
-
15
Arad Ofri
-
18
Dan Glazer
-
7
Jorginho
-
55
Valeriy Gromyko
-
9
Dastan Satpaev
Forwards
-
26
Edmilson
Celtic team overview
A goalless draw at Celtic Park on Wednesday has left Brendan Rodgers’ side in a precarious position—exactly the scenario the Scottish champions had hoped to avoid heading into the second leg in Kazakhstan. Still, their uninspiring 90-minute display in the first leg may not necessarily reflect what lies ahead, as Celtic have a strong record in the playoff rounds in recent years, winning five of their last six ties.
Celtic will, however, be without right-back Alistair Johnston, who was forced off in the first leg with a hamstring injury and has been ruled out of the return match in Kazakhstan.
Last matches of
-
Celtic
3 : 0
Livingston
Premiership
-
Celtic
0 : 0
Kairat Almaty
Champions League
-
Celtic
4 : 1
Falkirk
League Cup
-
Aberdeen
0 : 2
Celtic
Premiership
-
Celtic
1 : 0
St. Mirren
Premiership
lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Kasper Schmeichel
Defenders
-
20
Cameron Carter-Vickers
-
5
Liam Scales
-
56
Anthony Ralston
-
63
Kieran Tierney
Midfielders
-
42
Callum McGregor
-
41
Reo Hatate
-
8
Benjamin Nygren
Forwards
-
38
Daizen Maeda
-
49
James Forrest
-
9
Adam Idah
Prediction
A dull and ineffective first-leg performance at Celtic Park has cast doubt over Celtic’s chances of reaching the Champions League group stage for the fourth consecutive season. However, as reigning Scottish Premiership champions—a league clearly stronger than the Kazakhstan Premier League—and with their pedigree in European competition in recent years, Celtic should still have enough quality to see this tie through in the second leg. Adding to their case, Celtic boast an impressive playoff record in Europe, winning five of their last six ties, which further strengthens the argument for them to prevail on Tuesday.
Three reasons we expect Celtic to Win
- Celtic remain a far superior side to Kairat, as reflected in both the quality of their domestic league and the individual ability of their players.
- The 72% possession statistic from the first leg suggests that if Celtic dominate the ball in a similar fashion in the return match, they should have enough quality in the final third to create decisive chances.
- Celtic have won five of their last six playoff round ties in European competition.
Main prediction -
to win
Best Odds:
Megapari
1.63
