Kairat Almaty (Kaz) vs Celtic (Sco) prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Qualification betting tips on match 2025-08-25 16:45.
[p]Kairat Almaty aim to capitalise on home advantage as Celtic travel to Kazakhstan for the decisive UEFA Champions League (UCL) play-off second leg, with aggregate score finely poised at 0-0. [/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Kairat are aiming to make history by reaching the UCL proper for the first time, with Astana in 2015/16 the only Kazakh side to do so previously. This is just their third campaign in the competition, having fallen at the first and second qualifying rounds in 2005/06 and 2021/22 respectively. Following the goalless draw at Celtic Park last week, confidence of reaching the main draw for the first time should be high given they have kept clean sheets in four of their seven qualifiers this season, winning all three of such matches at home without conceding.[/p]
[p]Celtic were left disappointed to not secure an advantage from the home leg last week, but will aim to put that behind them as they chase a 14th UCL proper appearance and a fourth in succession. They have failed to progress through the qualifying rounds since 2017/18, falling short on four occasions since, though their overall record in the play-off round is positive (W4, L3). The Scottish champions also played out a 3-0 win this past weekend against Livingston to extend their undefeated competitive start to the season to five games (W4, D1). [/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]The first-leg stalemate was the maiden meeting between the clubs. Kairat’s only previous meeting with Scottish opposition saw them edge out Aberdeen 3-2 on aggregate in the 2015/16 Europa League qualifiers, while Celtic have struggled on Kazakh soil, losing two of three trips (D1).[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Kairat have six wins from six home UCL qualifiers in the competition.[/p]
[p]Kairat’s draw with Celtic was their fourth clean sheet in six previous competitive outings. [/p]
[p]Celtic have lost their away leg in four of their last five play-off ties (D1, L4).[/p]
[p]Either side of the first leg 0-0, Celtic scored nine goals in three competitive games while conceding only once. [/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Edmilson has been Kairat’s dangerman on home turf of late, scoring three first-half goals in his past three competitive home appearances. Benjamin Nygren is in equally impressive form for Celtic with four contributions (G3, A1) in his last four competitive games. [/p]
[p]Kairat have no new injury concerns, while Celtic have been boosted by the news that Adam Idah has travelled with the squad after missing Saturday’s win over Livingston with a knee issue.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Brendan Rodgers prioritised this contest by making eight changes for the visit of Livingston on Saturday, meaning we should see a strong and motivated Celtic, so backing them to win seems a good shout.  [/p]
[p][i]Author: David H[/i][/p]