The first leg of the second qualifying round of the 2025/26 Champions League between KuPS (Finland) and Kairat (Kazakhstan) will take place on July 22 at the Kuopion Keskuskenttä Stadium. KuPS vs. Kairat: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
KuPS
Jarkko Wiss's team overcame Milsami in the previous round (1-0, 0-0). The team has reached the second qualifying round of the Champions League for the first time in its history, having participated only once before in Europe's most prestigious tournament. They earned their spot in this season's Champions League by winning the national championship. Last season, KuPS competed in the Conference League, where they managed to advance through only one qualifying stage.
- The team has not won in 8 of their last 10 European matches (3 draws, 5 losses).
- At least one opponent failed to score in 6 of KuPS's previous international encounters.
- No more than two goals were scored in 5 of the last 6 European matches played by the Finnish side.
Predicted lineup for KuPS (3-4-3)
Johannes Kreidl – Ibrahim Cissé, Clinton Antwi, Samuli Miettinen – Doni Arifi, Otto Ruoppi, Petteri Pennanen, Jaakko Oksanen – Agon Sadiku, Joslin Luyeye-Lutumba, Saku Savolainen.
Kairat
The Kazakh side overcame Olimpija Ljubljana in the previous stage. After a draw in Slovenia (1-1), Rafael Urazbakhtin's team defeated the opponent 2-0 at home. As a result, Kairat has only one loss in six Champions League matches (3 wins, 2 draws). Additionally, the club last reached the second qualifying round of the Champions League in the 2021/22 season, where they were defeated by Red Star Belgrade.
- Kairat has scored in 5 of their last 6 Champions League matches.
- The team has been unable to win away in European competitions for 5 matches (2 draws, 3 losses).
- In 5 of their last 7 away international games, Kairat conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals.
Predicted lineup for Kairat (5-3-2)
Alexander Zarutsky – Alexander Martynovich, Damir Kasabulat, Egor Sorokin, Erkin Tapalov, Luis Mata – Alexander Mrynsky, Dan Glazer, Edmilson Filho – Dastan Satpayev, Jorginho Costa.
Referee
Alejandro Muniz Ruiz (Spain)
Matches – 20 (La Liga, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 76;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.8;
Red cards shown – 6;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 25%.
KuPS vs. Kairat: Match Prediction
The Kazakh club has made a successful return to the international stage. In the previous round, Rafael Urazbakhtin's team outperformed the favored Olimpija. Kairat held their ground in Slovenia and secured a victory at home, breaking a 9-match winless streak in European competitions (3 draws, 6 losses). I believe this will boost the players' confidence.
The Finnish side cannot boast of good results in European competitions. The victory over Milsami was only their second in their last 10 international matches (3 wins, 5 losses). The other team they managed to defeat in this period was from Luxembourg.
The only Champions League defeat in their history for Kairat came against Red Star Belgrade, whose class and European experience are significantly higher than KuPS. I think the Finnish team will not be able to defeat the visitors. My prediction: Kairat to win or draw
