Preview: Kairat vs Pafos FC – predictions, team news, line-ups

Kairat Almaty will aim to secure their first points of the Champions League campaign when they host Cypriot champions Pafos at the Almaty Central Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Both teams have had a difficult start to the European season and will view this match as a vital opportunity to secure their first victory in the standings.

Match Preview

Kairat Almaty have had a difficult life in the Champions League so far, losing their two opening matches heavily.

Rafael UrazbakhtinThe team lost 4-1 to Sporting Lisbon on the first day. suffer a 5-0 defeat against Real Madrid at home, where Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick.

Although the gap in quality against Europe’s elite was evident, the hosts will see Tuesday’s home clash as their best opportunity to make an impact in the competition, having already faced two strong teams.

The Kazakh champions have dominated domestically this season, leading the Kazakhstan Premier League with 58 points from 25 matches, with one match remaining in the season.

They have recorded 18 wins, four draws and just three defeats, leaving them on the verge of winning back-to-back league titles.

This season marks Kairat’s first appearance in the main draw of the Champions League after successfully qualifying.

Urazbakhtin’s men head into this match in decent domestic form, having beaten their last league match 1-0 on Friday, and they will hope to build on that result with a remarkable performance in front of their home fans.

On the visitors’ side, Pafos are also competing at this level for the first time in their history after winning the Cypriot First Division last season.

Juan Carlos CarcedoThe team is currently top of their domestic rankings again, amassing 18 points from seven matches with six wins and one defeat, scoring 16 goals and conceding just four.

In Europe, they managed one point in their first two matches.

They began their campaign with a goalless draw against Olympiacos despite playing more than an hour at ten following Bruno Felipe’s early red card, before being beaten 5-1 by Bayern Munich, with Mislav Orsic grab a consolation goal.

The Cypriot champions come into Tuesday’s clash on the back of a 4-0 league win on Friday, and the result should give them confidence as they look to bounce back in the continental competition.

After reaching the knockout stages of the Europa Conference League last season, Pafos continues to grow in stature on the European stage.

Kairat Champions League form:

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Kairat form (all competitions):

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FC Paphos Champions League form:

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Pafos FC form (all competitions):

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Team News

Kairat could be without first-choice goalkeeper Alexandr Zarutskiy, who remains doubtful due to a minor knock.

Temirlan Anarbekov returned from injury in the last league match and is expected to start between the sticks.

Urazbakhtin will again turn to an in-form striker Dastan Satpaevwho has scored four goals in his last four matches in all competitions.

However, the hosts remain without the injured elder Santana and Joao Pauloboth sidelined with long-term ACL injuries and excluded from the Champions League squad list.

For visitors, defender Pedrao is unavailable due to a cruciate ligament injury.

David Luiz should partner with Derrick Luckassen And David Goldar in the back line, while Anderson Silva should spearhead the attack.

Kairat possible starting composition:

Anarbekov; Tapalov, Martynovich, Sorokin, Mata; Mrynskiy, Kasabulat, Arad, Gromyko; Jorginho, Satpaev

Pafos FC possible starting lineup:

Michael; Luiz, Goldar, Luckassen; Pileas, Sunjic, Rodrigues, Jaja; Dragomir, Anderson, Orsic

We say: Kairat 1-2 Pafos FC

Although both teams are newcomers at this level, Pafos seems to be the more balanced team. Their experience from last season’s European campaign and their good start to the Cypriot championship give them the advantage.

While Kairat’s domestic dominance is impressive, their struggles in Europe reveal a lack of experience at this level, and the visitors could benefit if they remain disciplined.

For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.

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