Contents
- Competition: UEFA Champions League Qualifying - Third Round 2nd leg
- Date: Tuesday, 11th, August 2026
- Kickoff: 16:00 UK / 17:00 CEST
- Venue: Turkestan Arena (Turkestan)
The UEFA Champions League is reaching boiling point in its summer qualifying campaign, with Turkestan Arena in Kazakhstan set to host a dramatic third-round second leg on Tuesday afternoon, as Kairat Almaty welcome Bulgarian giants Levski Sofia.
The first meeting in the Bulgarian capital seven days ago produced a tactical and physically demanding contest that was decided in the closing stages, leaving Levski with a narrow one-goal advantage heading into the return fixture. However, Kairat will have the backing of their passionate home support as they look to overturn the deficit and book their place in the playoff round of Europe’s elite competition.
Kairat Almaty vs Levski Sofia Head to Head (H2H) stats
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Levski Sofia
1 : 0
Kairat Almaty
Champions League
The only previous meeting between the two sides took place last Tuesday, when Levski capitalised on a lapse in the Kazakh side’s defensive concentration to secure a crucial stoppage-time victory.
Kairat Almaty team overview
Kairat Almaty head into this decisive second leg knowing they have a fine opportunity to move one step closer to securing a second successive appearance in the main draw of Europe’s premier club competition.
However, the Yellow-Blacks face a difficult task if they are to reach the final qualifying round, particularly after being completely nullified by their Bulgarian opponents last week, remarkably ending the first leg without registering a single shot while seeing just 29% of possession.
Despite that disappointing performance, Rafael Urazbakhtin’s side should never be written off on home soil, where they have produced some impressive results and enter this contest on the back of five consecutive victories, including two in Champions League qualifying.
Furthermore, Kairat Almaty can welcome the decisive 90 minutes with a fully fit squad, having reported no new injury concerns following the first leg in Sofia. With that in mind, the hosts will be determined to produce a much-improved display and, at the very least, force the tie into extra time.
Last matches of Kairat Almaty
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Levski Sofia
1 : 0
Kairat Almaty
Champions League
-
Kairat Almaty
6 : 5
AC Omonia
Champions League
-
Kairat Almaty
2 : 1
Ordabasy
Premier League
-
AC Omonia
1 : 0
Kairat Almaty
Champions League
-
Atyrau
1 : 3
Kairat Almaty
Premier League
Kairat Almaty lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Temirlan Anarbekov
Defenders
-
3
Luís Mata
-
44
Lucas Áfrico
-
14
Alyaksandr Martynovich
-
24
Aleksandr Mrynskiy
Midfielders
-
8
Olzhas Baybek
-
13
Jaakko Oksanen
-
22
Gustavo Mendonça
Forwards
-
19
Oiva Jukkola
-
9
Edmilson
-
28
Marc Gual
Levski Sofia team overview
Levski Sofia head into the second leg in eastern Europe with a huge sense of relief and a slender advantage in hand, although much of the credit belongs to Portuguese midfielder Serginho, who struck in the second minute of stoppage time to break Kairat’s resistance and secure a valuable away victory.
Julio Velazquez’s side showed plenty of maturity and patience in the first meeting, controlling possession for long spells and waiting patiently for an opening against a compact Kairat defence. That result also extended their impressive start to the 2026-27 campaign, with Levski remaining unbeaten after recording eight wins and one draw across their opening nine matches.
The Blue Avalanche have also looked particularly solid and pragmatic in European competition, first dispatching Balkan rivals Borac Banja Luka 5-1 on aggregate before edging past Romanian outfit Universitatea Craiova 3-2 over two legs.
The Sofia outfit may have to make a few tactical adjustments for the return fixture, but confidence within the squad remains high. Their defence is likely to face sustained pressure in Kazakhstan, with experienced centre-back and captain Kristian Dimitrov expected to play a crucial role as Levski look to protect their narrow advantage and complete the job.
Last matches of Levski Sofia
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Levski Sofia
2 : 0
Lokomotiv Plovdiv
First League
-
Levski Sofia
1 : 0
Kairat Almaty
Champions League
-
Levski Sofia
3 : 0
Septemvri Sofia
First League
-
U Craiova
2 : 2
Levski Sofia
Champions League
-
Lokomotiv Sofia 1929
1 : 2
Levski Sofia
First League
Levski Sofia lineup
Goalkeeper
-
92
Svetoslav Vutsov
Defenders
-
20
Álex Centelles
-
31
Nikola Serafimov
-
50
Kristian Dimitrov
-
21
Aldair Neves
Midfielders
-
35
Serginho
-
18
Gašper Trdin
-
19
El Mehdi El Moubarik
Forwards
-
7
Reinaldo
-
17
Everton Bala
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11
Armstrong Oko-Flex
Prediction
A classic European second leg awaits, with tactical discipline and mental resilience likely to play a decisive role in determining who advances to the Champions League playoff round. Kairat are a difficult side to overcome on home soil and should benefit from their familiarity with the local conditions, while their need to overturn the deficit is likely to see them start on the front foot.
Levski, however, possess considerable European experience and enough defensive organisation to protect narrow advantages effectively. Although Kairat should provide a stern test in front of their home supporters and may well find a way through the Bulgarian defence, Levski's greater tactical maturity could ultimately make the difference. A hard-fought draw after 90 minutes looks the most likely outcome, which would be enough to send the visitors through.
Three Reasons we expect Under 2.5 Goals
- Three of Kairat's last four matches have been decided by a single goal.
- Levski Sofia have put together a run of three consecutive competitive matches without conceding a goal.
- In the first leg, Kairat failed to register a single shot over the 90+ minutes.
Main prediction Kairat Almaty - Levski Sofia
Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds: