If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >

Celtic vs. Kairat prediction, lineups, odds and bet builder tips for Champions League play-off first leg

Peter Fitzpatrick

Celtic vs. Kairat prediction, lineups, odds and bet builder tips for Champions League play-off first leg image

Celtic welcome unheralded Kazakh champions Kairat to Glasgow looking to put one foot in the Champions League group stage. 

Brendan Rodgers' side have started the campaign in relatively strong fashion, with three wins from three in the Premiership and League Cup, but will be expected to step up on the European stage. 

Kairat have already made history in going this far, and are aiming to be the first Kazakh side to make it to the group stage, but are up against just to stay alive in the tie ahead of next week's second leg.  

The Sporting News takes you through the latest odds, tips and predictions for what promises to be a big night at Celtic Park. 

MORE: Champions League 2025/26 predictions and latest betting

Celtic vs. Kairat predictions, betting tips and odds

If Celtic can match what is bound to be a raucous crowd, this should be a very straightforward win, and Rodgers will be demanding his men end the tie before a 10-hour flight across Europe next week. We expect them to do just that. 

The Scottish champions are massive 1/12 favourites with Sky Bet, with Kairat way back at 12/1. The draw is 7/1. 

The Sporting News' Score Prediction: Celtic 4-0 Kairat

  • Celtic beating Kairat is given a staggering 92.3% probability by Sky Bet.

Celtic vs. Kairat expected lineups

Here's how we think these two sides will line up in Glasgow. 

Celtic lineup (4-3-3, right to left)

  • Schmeichel (GK) — Johnston, Djiga, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney — Hatate, McGregor, Engels — Nygren, Idah, Maeda

Injured: Jota
Suspended: None 

Kairat lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left)

  • Zarutskiy (GK) —  Tapalov, Sorokin, Martynovich, Luis Mata —  Glazer, Gromyko, Arad — Satpaev, Edmilson Santos, Jorginho

Injured: None 
Suspended: None 

BONUS: Get £20 free bets when you bet £20 as a new customer with Bet442

Celtic vs. Kairat latest odds, correct score betting

Our 4-0 prediction is at good odds with Sky Bet, but there are plenty of other possible score lines that are worth looking at for this one. Here's a look at some of the most likely outcomes according to the bookmakers. 

Result

Odds*

Celtic 1-0

15/2

Celtic 2-0

5/1

Celtic 3-0

11/2

Celtic 4-0

15/2

Celtic 5-0

12/1

*Click odds to bet direct with our selected partners. Odds correct at time of publish.

Back your correct score pick with Sky Bet for £50 in FREE bets when you bet £10 on accas

Celtic vs. Kairat team news

  • The only injury absentee for Celtic is Jota, who is expected to miss much of the season with a serious knee injury. 
  • Benjamin Nygren grabbed his first goal for the club in the 2-0 win at Aberdeen 10 days ago, and will return to the lineup having been one of many to be rested for the cup win over Falkirk. 
  •  The player to look out for in the Kairat side is wonderkid Dastan Satpaev, who has already agreed to join Chelsea next summer when he turns 18. 

Celtic vs. Kairat Bet Builder tips

Our bet builder for this game is Celtic to win with a -3 handicap, both teams not score, Kairat to have more bookings, and both Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda to score. That is currently just over 11/1 with Paddy Power

You can check out the latest odds and bet direct with our selected partners using the bet builder tool below.

How to watch Celtic vs. Kairat: Live stream, TV channel

  • Date: Wednesday, August 20
  • Venue: Celtic Park
  • Time: 8:00 p.m. BST
  • TV/Stream: TNT Sports 1

Peter Fitzpatrick

Peter Fitzpatrick is a freelance content producer for The Sporting News working on betting content for English-language editions. He has been working in sports media since 2022 following a career change mid-lockdown. He has primarily written on football, but also has a keen interest in rugby union, basketball and tennis.