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Kairat are aiming to qualify for the Champions League for a second successive season as they take on Sutjeska in the first leg of the first qualifying round in Kazakhstan on Wednesday afternoon.
The hosts qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history last campaign, but did not make it out of the league phase after finishing bottom with one draw and seven defeats in their eight games.
Meanwhile, Sutjeska have never qualified for the Champions League, and have only ever made it as far as the second qualifying round.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Kairat vs. Sutjeska key stats
- Kairat are on a four-game winning run.
- Sutjeska have lost their last four matches in all competitions.
- Kairat are unbeaten in eight home games in total (W5, D3).
Kairat vs. Sutjeska preview: Kairat to cruise to victory?
Kairat vs Sutjeska — Tale of the Tape
| Kairat | vs | Sutjeska |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd (Kazakhstan Premier League) | Position | 1st (Montenegrin First League) |
| 39 | Points | 72 |
| 34 | Goals For | 61 |
| 12 | Goals Against | 36 |
| 9 | Clean Sheets | 15 |
| 4th | Home / Away Rank | 1st |
Kairat shocked the world of football by qualifying for the Champions League for the first time last season, but unfortunately could not make a name for themselves.
It was still a remarkable achievement for Rafael Urazbakhtin's side though, as they became just the second Kazakh team to play in the Champions League proper.
Domestically though, Kairat are facing an uphill battle to retain their Kazakhstan Premier League title, as they sit in second place and one point behind league leaders Ordabasy having played two games more.
Ahead of the first leg with Sutjeska, Kairat will be without Chelsea-bound Dastan Satpaev, but they have reported no fresh injury concerns at the time of writing.
Sutjeska are the same, and are likely to play their strongest possible team after finishing the most recent domestic season as Montenegrin First League champions.
Dejan Jelenic's side have been playing friendlies since then, but have lost all three ahead of this fixture.
Nonetheless, they will be underdogs here on away territory, and will just be hoping for a positive result to take with them to the second leg.
Kairat vs. Sutjeska form guide & betting tips
| Kairat | vs | Sutjeska |
|---|---|---|
DWWWW |
Form | WLLLL |
| 16 | Goals For | 3 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 7 |
N/A |
Champions League | N/A |
Whispers predicts: Kairat 3-0 Sutjeska
Kairat are 2/5 (1.40) favourites to win, but while we agree with the bookies, these odds are too short for us to back.
Given home advantage and the fact they have scored 16 goals in their last five games, Kairat to win (-2 handicap) at 3/1 (4.00) could be worth a punt.
Meanwhile, Sutjeska have been relatively goal-shy with just three scored across their previous five matches, so BTTS – No at 8/13 (1.62) also appeals.
Overall, we are backing the Correct score – 3-0 at 8/1 (9.00), given Kairat's extra Champions League experience and the relative gulf in quality between the two teams.
> BTTS – No at 8/13 (1.62) | Likelihood: Probable
> Kairat to win (-2 handicap) at 3/1 (4.00) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – 3-0 at 8/1 (9.00) | Likelihood: Outsider