Champions League - Second leg - The Play-offs enter crucial stage
by Thobelani Moyo | by Thobelani Moyo
Kairat Almaty vs. Celtic FC: Underdogs aiming to do the impossible against a club with a European pedigree
Kairat Almaty is a club from Kazakhstan that has no rich history in European competitions. However, that could all change on Tuesday when they lock horns with Celtic in the return leg of the UEFA Champions League play-off round. In fact, they are one match away from seeing their name make headlines.
The Team of the Nation aims to reach the UEFA Champions League main draw for the first time in club history. Despite the odds stacked against them at Celtic Park in the first leg of the play-off round, they managed to avoid the worst possible scenario, losing by a significant margin. Rafael Urazbakhtin's men held the Scottish giants to a goalless draw in that match. The second leg is just their opportunity to etch their name in the history books.
Being held to a goalless draw in their own territory against minnows Kairat Almaty is not what most people associated with the club, Celtic FC, imagined would happen. In their minds, a one-sided massacre was what they expected, but they were deprived of such a performance.
Despite controlling 75% of ball possession, it was never going to be enough if they failed to be more creative in the final third. The result at the end of the day was a 0-0 draw.
A grueling journey now sees Brendan Rodgers' men out to make fines in the second leg. The Hoops' success on Tuesday could see them reach the UEFA Champions League main draw for the fourth consecutive time, which clarifies their European pedigree. Will they be able to complete the job in a foreign territory? Let's find out what our betting experts make of this clash in our Kairat Almaty vs Celtic FC prediction.
Benfica vs. Fenerbahce: All to play for in the return leg between two European giants
Benfica enters the second leg of the UEFA Champions League play-off round aiming to come out on top against a resilient Fenerbahce. The Eagles performed well in the first leg away from home and earned a draw, despite being dominated in all aspects of the game.
Bruno Lage's men were bombarded with 14 shots. Six of those shots were on target, but with Anatoliy Trubin in goal, the 24-year-old goalie managed to save all of them, raising spirits in the squad for the return leg. Can they get the job done at home this time? Let's find out what our SportyTrader betting experts have to say in the Benfica vs. Fenerbahce prediction!
Fenerbahce may be underdogs in the return leg after failing to get the job done in Turkey. However, this is a team with lofty aspirations in this competition, and that makes them a threat.
The Yellow Canaries have never reached the main draw of the UEFA Champions League. You will have to go back to the 2008-09 season for the last time they were seen competing in the main draw.
Club Brugge vs. Rangers FC: The Gers' UEFA Champions League dreams are hanging by a thread
Club Brugge is one match away from reaching the UEFA Champions League main draw. The club from Belgium had to lock horns with Rangers in the first leg of the playoff round. A trip to Ibrox Stadium was expected to be a tough test, but to their surprise, it was a walk-through.
The Blue-Black capitalized on Rangers' profligacy in the final third and snatched a 3-1 victory. This means they enter the return leg with a two-goal lead and will aim to get the job done in front of their home crowd. Another thing worth mentioning is that Nicky Hayen's men should not be mistaken for newcomers in this competition, having appeared in last year's round of 16.
Rangers FC have made a poor start to the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership. The Gers have failed to win their first three games (D3), and it seems that the poor display has rubbed off on them in Europe's top-tier competition.
Russell Martin's men are faced with a daunting task in the return leg against Club Brugge. A 3-1 defeat in the first leg means that they need to overturn a two-goal deficit. On foreign territory, that could be a difficult job, but it's going to be even more difficult considering their struggles in the final third this season. Can the visitors secure an important win in the second leg and keep their dreams of reaching the UEFA Champions League main draw, or is this the end of their journey? Let's find out what our betting experts have to say about this clash in our Club Brugge vs Rangers FC prediction.
Fixtures to watch out for
Tuesday:
- Pafos vs Crvena Zvezda (2-1)
- Sturm Graz vs Bodo/Glimt (0-5)
Wednesday:
- Qarabag vs Ferencvaros (3-1)
- FC Copenhagen vs Basel (1-1)
