Kairat face the daunting task of overturning a two-goal deficit as they welcome Finnish side KuPS to Central Stadium this Tuesday for the second leg of their Champions League second qualifying round.
The Kazakh outfit were beaten 2-0 in Finland last week and will require a dramatic turnaround if they are to reach the next stage of the competition for the first time in their history.
View our Kairat vs KuPS predictions below.
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Kairat vs KUPS prediction: Hosts face uphill battle in return leg
Key stats
- Kairat have won all four of their previous home matches in the Champions League qualifiers
- Each of the last four KuPS matches has ended with under 2.5 goals
- Kairat have won by margins of two goals or more in six of their last 10 home games, keeping clean sheets in all
Correct score prediction: Kairat 2-0 KuPS
This predicted outcome reflects Kairat’s established pattern at home in Champions League qualifying campaigns and aligns with the task they currently face.
The Kazakh club have played four home matches across three different editions of the competition, winning all, with three of those ending in 2-0 scorelines – including their second-leg victory in the previous round. With that very result now required to force extra time, repeating the feat seems well within their reach and could take the tie beyond 120 minutes in pursuit of a winner.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Hosts clear favourites
- HOME: 4/9 (1.44) – 69.2%
- DRAW: 7/2 (4.50) – 22.2%
- AWAY: 6/1 (7.00) – 14.3%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Kairat Almaty are priced at 4/9 to win, translating to a 69.2% implied chance, which seems fair considering their imperious home record and the urgency to deliver a result.
Alongside their flawless run at home in this competition, the Central Stadium has seen 12 wins from their last 14 appearances in all competitions.
The draw at 7/2 gives an implied probability of 22.2%, while KuPS at 6/1 reflects a 14.3% chance – a figure that aligns with the visitors’ likely conservative setup as they look to protect their advantage.
Don’t forget to check out more of our football betting tips page after analysing our Kairat vs KuPS predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Tie finely poised
Last Tuesday’s clash was the first-ever meeting between the two clubs. With a clean slate on home turf, Kairat will aim to make their territorial advantage count as they seek to overturn the first-leg deficit.
UEFA Champions League Qualifying 22/07/25
KuPS Kuopio
Kairat Almaty
Kairat preview: Barzabayev returns, Glazer suspended
Kairat responded to their continental setback with a commanding 3-1 win over Tobol in the Kazakhstan Premier League at the weekend and will hope to carry that momentum into Tuesday’s decider.
However, they will be without midfielder Dan Glazer, who is suspended after collecting another yellow card in the first leg. There is positive news in defence though, as Amirbek Barzabayev is available once again after completing a suspension for disciplinary reasons.
Predicted lineup: Zarutsky (GK), Mata, Sorokin, Martynovich, Tapalov, Gromyko, Ofri, Sadybekov, Zaria, Satpayev & Jorginho
Kazakhstan Premier League 04/07/25
W
Turan
0
Kairat Almaty
4
Kazakhstan Premier League 29/06/25
W
Ordabasy
0
Kairat Almaty
1
Kazakhstan Premier League 21/06/25
W
FK Kyzylzhar
0
Kairat Almaty
1
Kazakhstan Premier League 14/06/25
D
Zhetysu
2
Kairat Almaty
2
Kazakhstan Premier League 30/05/25
W
FK Aktobe
1
Kairat Almaty
2
KuPS preview: Wiss expected to take cautious approach
KuPS arrive in Almaty with fresher legs, having not played since their first-leg victory last Tuesday.
With a two-goal cushion, manager Jarkko Wiss is expected to prioritise defensive solidity, possibly switching to a 4-5-1 formation to stifle any early Kairat pressure and preserve their lead.
Predicted lineup: Kreidl (GK), Hamalainen, Miettinen, Cisse, Savolainen, Arifi, Oksanen, Pennanen, Ruoppi, Luyeye-Lutumba & Traore
Player to Watch: Jorginho
Kairat will turn to striker Jorginho for attacking inspiration as they look to overturn the deficit, with the Portuguese forward playing a pivotal role in their campaign.
He has scored eight goals in 22 appearances and has been directly involved in all three of Kairat’s strikes in this season’s Champions League qualifiers, underlining his importance to the side.