Preview:Kairat vs Celtic - prediction, team news, lineups

After defying the odds in the first leg, Kairat will be even more driven to secure a place in the Champions League draw when they welcome regulars Celtic to Central Stadium on Tuesday.

The Kazakh outfit displayed remarkable resilience in last week’s trip to Glasgow, where they held the Bhoys to a goalless stalemate, leaving everything on the line in this return fixture.

Match preview

Few sides have managed to keep Brendan Rodgers’s men quiet at Celtic Park, and it was unheralded Kairat who became the first to do so since Heart of Midlothian achieved the feat in December 2023.

Despite enjoying three times less possession and offering little in terms of attacking threat, Rafael Urazbakhtin’s men came close to snatching more from the game; their only shot on goal was chalked off after Alyaksandr Martynovich was flagged offside

Kairat’s appearance at this stage is already historic, but with an impressive record on their own turf, the Kazakhs now have reason to believe they can extend that achievement to sealing a maiden place in the Champions League draw.

A 3-1 aggregate triumph over NK Olimpija Ljubljana, a spirited 3-2 comeback win against KuPS and a penalty shootout success after a 1-1 draw with Slovan Bratislava – the common thread across those ties has been victory in every home fixture, making it five straight wins at Central Stadium across three European campaigns.

Failing to take control of the tie in Glasgow has made life more difficult for Celtic, who now face a gruelling 7,000-mile journey to Almaty against a side yet to concede at home in three rounds this season.

Past experiences in Kazakhstan also offer little comfort for the Bhoys, as they have failed to win any of their previous three visits, losing twice and drawing once, so the visitors have their work cut out heading into Tuesday’s encounter.

The schedule provides no respite for Celtic either, with the first Old Firm of the season looming five days later, and Rodgers must juggle his squad carefully in the absence of right back Alistair Johnston, who limped off after 35 minutes in Glasgow.

Nevertheless, Celtic retain the upper hand heading into this clash, having progressed in all three previous meetings with Kazakh opposition, and their pedigree at this level remains a strong source of belief.

The Scottish giants are aiming to make the Champions League draw for the fourth successive campaign, and following a 3-0 win over Livingston in the top flight, morale should be lifted heading into Tuesday’s trip.

Kairat Champions League form:

Kairat form (all competitions):

Celtic Champions League form:

Celtic form (all competitions):

Team News

Aside from long-term absentees Elder Santana and Joao Paulo, who are both sidelined with cruciate ligament injuries, the hosts boast an almost full-strength squad for Tuesday’s contest.

Goalkeeper Aleksandr Zarutskiy, however, is a doubt after being forced off injured in Glasgow, meaning Temirlan Anarbekov could be handed a start between the sticks.

Celtic will also be without Johnston, who is now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a hamstring problem until November.

The visitors are further hampered by injuries to striker Adam Idah, who is sidelined with a knock, and Auston Trusty with a foot issue, while Jota is still working his way back from a cruciate ligament layoff.

Benjamin Nygren will be full of confidence after netting a brace against Livingston at the weekend, and he could keep his place on the flank.

Kairat possible starting lineup:

Anarbekov; Tapalov, Sorokin, Martynovich, Luis Mata; Glazer, Gromyko, Arad; Satpaev, Edmilson Santos, Jorginho

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Nygren, Yamada, Maeda

We say: Kairat 1-2 Celtic (a.e.t., Celtic win 1-2 on aggregate)

Although Kairat’s formidable run at Central Stadium gives them hope, it will be a tall order to deny a Celtic side with greater quality and European pedigree, so the visitors should edge this contest, though it may not be straightforward.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.