Match Overview

This highly anticipated 2025/26 group stage fixture, featuring Kairat of Kazakhstan and Pafos from Cyprus, is scheduled for October 21st at the Central Stadium in Almaty. Here’s a comprehensive match preview, including our prediction, odds, and key statistics for the Kairat vs. Pafos encounter.

Kairat’s Current Form

Rafael Urazbakhtin’s Kairat has endured a challenging start to the Champions League group stage. Following a tough 1-4 away loss to Sporting, the team suffered a significant 0-5 defeat at home against Real Madrid, matching their largest ever Champions League loss. After two rounds, the Kazakh club has conceded nine goals, making them the worst defensive side in the competition. Furthermore, Kairat has found the net in just one of their last five Champions League outings. They currently occupy the bottom spot in the standings, alongside three other teams yet to register a point.

• Kairat has been unable to secure a victory in their last five Champions League fixtures, recording two draws and three defeats.
• At home, Kairat has demonstrated defensive resilience, allowing no more than one goal in six of their previous seven Champions League encounters.
• The team has frequently taken an early lead, scoring first in five of their last seven home games in the competition.

Kairat’s Predicted Lineup

Kairat Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Temirlan Anarbekov – Aleksandr Martynovich, Egor Sorokin, Aleksandr Mrynsky, Erkin Tapalov – Valeriy Gromyko, Ofri Arad, Luis Mata – Damir Kasabulat, Jorginho Costa, Dastan Satpaev.

Team News

Goalkeeper Oleksandr Zarutsky is currently sidelined due to injury.

Pafos’ Current Form

Pafos, the Cypriot representatives, experienced a strikingly similar outcome in their previous fixture, suffering a 1-5 home loss against Bayern Munich. This marked Juan Carlos Carcedo’s team’s first defeat in the Champions League, following an impressive run of four wins and three draws. Prior to facing the Bavarian giants, Pafos had maintained a strong defensive record, not conceding more than one goal in any match. In fact, they have secured four clean sheets in this tournament so far. With a single point, the islanders currently sit in 32nd position in the overall standings.

• Five of the team’s last seven Champions League games have featured two goals or fewer.
• Pafos has found the back of the net in seven of their eight matches in this European competition.
• Remarkably, Pafos remains unbeaten on the road in the Champions League, with a record of three wins and one draw.

Pafos’ Predicted Lineup

Pafos Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Neofytos Michael – David Gomez Goldar, Derrick Luckassen, David Luiz, Ognjen Mimovic – Ivan Sunjic, Vlad Dragomir, Pepe Rodrigues – Mislav Orsic, Jajá, Landry Dimata.

Referee Profile

Chris Kavanagh (England)

Matches officiated – 7 (International matches, 2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 29;

Average yellow cards per match – 3.9;

Red cards shown – 0;

Fouls per match average – 23;

Penalties awarded – 14%.

Kairat vs Pafos Match Prediction

In this eagerly anticipated fixture, the home side, Kairat, has a genuine opportunity to secure their first points in the Champions League, and potentially even become the first Kazakh club to claim a victory in the competition’s main phase. While Rafael Urazbakhtin’s squad suffered a clear defeat to Real Madrid, it’s worth remembering their prior six-match unbeaten streak at home in this European tournament, which included five wins and one draw. Notably, during five of those encounters, the club maintained a clean sheet. The Cypriot visitors, Pafos, are arguably a less formidable opponent compared to Kairat’s previous high-caliber rivals.

Pafos, despite their initial setback against a formidable opponent, have consistently proven themselves to be a robust and determined team. Juan Carlos Carcedo’s squad is expected to present a significant challenge to the Kazakh hosts. Their impressive unbeaten away record in the Champions League, comprising three wins and one draw, further solidifies their resilience. This season, Pafos has also showcased a commendably solid defense, with only an unstoppable Bayern Munich managing to score more than a single goal against them.

Considering both teams’ emphasis on solid defense, my inclination for this match leans towards the home side. My refined prediction is: Kairat to avoid defeat and Total Goals Under 3.5 with odds of 1.85.