The Matchday 2 clash in the 2025/26 Champions League group stage between Kairat (Kazakhstan) and Real Madrid (Spain) will take place on September 30 at the Central Stadium in Almaty. Kairat vs. Real Madrid: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Kairat
Rafael Urazbakhtin's side suffered a 1-4 defeat away to Sporting in the previous round. Despite the opponent's clear advantage, the Kazakh team held on for a long time, but in the middle of the second half, Kairat conceded three goals in the span of three minutes. At the end of the match, the club managed to score a consolation goal, breaking a three-match streak in the Champions League without finding the net. Additionally, the team has not won in four consecutive Champions League games (2 draws, 2 losses). However, at home, Kairat has not lost in 26 of their last 30 European competition matches, securing 19 victories.
- The Kazakh side has not conceded more than one goal in 7 of their last 9 matches in this tournament.
- At home in the Champions League, Kairat is unbeaten in their last 6 matches (5 wins, 1 draw).
- The team has scored in 5 of their last 6 home Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Kairat (4-3-3)
Sherkhan Kalmyrza – Alexander Martynovich, Yegor Sorokin, Alexander Mrinsky, Yerkin Tapalov – Valery Gromyko, Ofri Arad, Luis Mata – Damir Kasabulat, Jorginho Costa, Dastan Satpayev.
Goalkeepers Alexander Zarutsky and Temirlan Anarbekov are injured.
Real Madrid
A brace from Kylian Mbappe in the match against Marseille allowed the Spaniards to start the tournament with a 2-1 victory, marking Real Madrid's 200th win in the Champions League. The Madrid side became the first to reach this milestone. The previous Champions League campaign ended with a series of three losses for the team. It is important to note that the club has conceded in 7 consecutive Champions League matches. However, the Spanish attack compensates for defensive issues, and Real Madrid was also the first to reach 700 goals in the prestigious European competition.
- Both teams scored in 5 of Real Madrid's last 7 Champions League matches.
- The team has not drawn in 8 consecutive away Champions League games (4 wins, 4 losses).
- The club conceded first in 5 of their last 7 away matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Real Madrid (3-4-3)
Thibaut Courtois – Alvaro Carreras, Dean Heysen, Raul Asensio – Federico Valverde, Arda Güler, Eduardo Camavinga, Fran Garcia – Brahim Diaz, Rodrygo Goes, Jude Bellingham.
Defenders Antonio Rudiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eder Militao, and Ferland Mendy are injured. Defender Dani Carvajal is suspended and will miss about a month due to injury. Forward Kylian Mbappe might be rested.
Referee
Marco Guida (Italy)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 33;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.7;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 11%.
Kairat vs. Real Madrid: Match Prediction
The excitement surrounding this match in Kazakhstan is immense. Kairat has never faced a team of such caliber in their history. The home crowd support will be enormous, but that is perhaps the only advantage Rafael Urazbakhtin's side can offer their opponent. The difference in class is significant. However, I believe the Kazakh team is capable of delighting the fans with a goal. Although all six of Kairat's previous home matches in the Champions League were in the qualifying stages, the club managed to score in five of them. The defense of their upcoming opponent allows for opportunities.
Despite having stars in defense, Real Madrid has conceded in 14 of their last 15 Champions League matches. In the previous tournament, Real kept a clean sheet only once, and just 4 of the 36 main stage participants did not have a single "clean" match. It is clear that the Spaniards rely on their attack, but a team of this level should have fewer defensive problems. One reason might be the frequent injuries among defenders, which they have not avoided in the upcoming game. It is worth adding that in the last La Liga round, Xabi Alonso's side conceded 5 goals.
The Kazakh team is not pressured by the result, and even one goal would be a significant achievement. My prediction: Kairat Individual Total Over 0.5
