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Kairat vs Red Star Belgrade
21 July 1500hrs
Football – Europe – Champions League qualifiers
Pick Under 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Paddy Power
Odds: 4/7 odds taken 2000 GMT, Tuesday 20 July
Kazakhstani champions Kairat take on Red Star Belgrade with both teams vying for an advantage in the first leg of their second round Champions League qualifier.
Table of Contents
Kairat Preview – Will the Swedish champions take an advantage into the second leg?
Kairat won their second domestic league title last season, earning them a place in the Champions League qualifiers. Their last involvement in these games was back in 2005 when they were eliminated at the first round stage. Kiril Keker’s men have already made history by getting beyond that first round for the first time in the club’s history. Kerker – who only took over in June this year – masterminded arguably the greatest result in their history when beating Israeli champions Maccabi Haifa.
After a very credible 1-1 draw away from home, Kairat completed the job in good style when winning 2-0 in the home match. There’s no the very real prospect of playing some form of group stage football in European competition but they will be hoping to go as far as they can in these qualifiers.
The most familiar name in their ranks is veteran Brazilian striker Vagner Love. Formerly of CSKA Moscow (where he won an UEFA Cup), Corinthians and Beskitas – amongst others – Vagner Love is in his second season at Kairat and has proven a very useful addition. He’s scored eight goals in all competitions including one of the goals against Maccabi Haifa.
Kairat have work to do if they are to retain their league title, though. Following a poor start to the season they remain five points behind the current leaders – that’s despite winning six of their last eight.
Red Star Belgrade Preview – Can Riga spring a surprise as they bid to get beyond the first qualifier for the first time?
Red Star were dominant in the Serbian top league last season. They amassed 108 points and going through the full campaign unbeaten. It was their seventh title success and gives them another crack at competing with the top teams in Europe – something they last done in 2019 when facing Bayern Munich, Olympiakos and Tottenham.
That was the second successive participation in the Champions League group stages so not only do they have recent experience they also know what it takes to negotiate the qualifiers.
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Dejan Stankovic is one of the most celebrated players in Serbian history and he has managed to make the transition into coaching and management a successful one. Having taken over in 2019, Stankovic stabilised the club before winning two consecutive league titles. He’ll now be hoping to sample the Champions League – a competition which he won with Inter Milan in 2010.
If Red Star are to make it all the way to the group stages again then it’s likely the experienced El Ben Nabouhane will be pivotal. He’s scored 13 goals in the Champions League all in for the club including seven in the 2018/19 campaign. He’s also scored over 40 goals in the league between the last three seasons.
Kairat vs Red Star Belgrade Betting Advice
Key Facts – Kairat vs Red Star Belgrade Betting Tip
This looks like being a very closely contested tie over the two legs. Kairat will be confident after their win against Maccabi Haifa. Red Star are proven through these qualifiers though and will have the experience. That may just be enough to get them through to the next round.
Whoever does reach the next round will fancy their chances of making the playoffs as the winner takes on either Alaskert or Sheriff Tiraspol. Neither of whom have any great European pedigree.
- Kairat are competing in the Champions League qualifiers for the second time, their last participation being 2005
- Red Star have reached the group stages in two of the last three seasons
- The winners of this game will face either Alashkert or Sheriff Tiraspol in the next round
With it being a game that is likely going to be decided in the second leg I think this game will be tight. Red Star’s first game of the season ended goalless. Their hosts last four matches have all had two goals or fewer. Back under 2.5 goals here.
Best Betting Odds for Kairat vs Red Star Belgrade
