Levi Rothermund
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Kairat Almaty host Anderlecht in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 Playoffs at the Almaty Ortalyk Stadion. This is a genuinely intriguing tie: Kairat have been solid at home all season and carry real momentum from their domestic campaign, yet Anderlecht arrive as the more experienced European side under Vítor Bruno, who has clearly improved the Belgian club’s output in continental competition. The away side’s form over the last 30 days is notably sharper, and their attacking numbers across recent matches tell a big story.
Two players stand out going into this match. For Anderlecht, Danylo Sikan has been a constant threat, registering two goals and racking up ten shots across five recent matches, combining well with the supporting cast around him. On the Kairat side, Marc Gual leads the line with five shots and consistent involvement, and he will need to be at his best if the hosts are to trouble Anderlecht’s backline.
One stat that jumps out: Anderlecht have attempted 88 total shots across their last five matches compared to Kairat’s 22. That is a staggering difference in attacking output and reflects just how dominant Anderlecht have been in recent weeks in terms of creating chances.
| 🏆 Tournament: | UEFA Europa League 2026/27, Playoffs |
| 🏟 Venue: | Almaty Ortalyk Stadion, Almaty |
| 🗓️ Date: | 20.08.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 17:00 CEST |
Kairat Almaty vs Anderlecht Prediction
Anderlecht to win this match is the pick we feel most confident about. The Belgians have won four of their last six matches, their attacking volume is vastly superior, and Kairat have dropped three of their last six games. Vítor Bruno’s side have also shown they can win away from home in European competition, and the odds around 2.05-2.16 for an Anderlecht win represent fair value given the difference in quality.
Kairat play a structured 4-2-3-1 that prioritises defensive shape, but their passing numbers are low, with just 498 passes and a modest accuracy figure across five matches. They commit relatively few fouls (10 across five games), which suggests a cautious, defensive approach. Anderlecht, by contrast, rack up 58 fouls and 11 yellow cards across the same period, reflecting a high-intensity, pressing style. That aggression can occasionally backfire through set-piece exposure, but in this match it is more likely to overwhelm a Kairat midfield that lacks the passing volume to absorb sustained pressure. Anderlecht’s 35 corner kicks in five games versus Kairat’s 10 underlines the territorial dominance you can expect from the away side.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Anderlecht to score in both halves |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
Kairat Almaty have had a mixed run recently. They won three and lost three of their last six matches, with no draws at all, which points to a team that tends to go either way rather than grinding out points. Their most recent match was a 3-1 win over Ulytau in domestic competition, a confidence-boosting result before this European tie. Before that, they suffered back-to-back 0-1 defeats to Levski Sofia in the Europa League qualifying rounds, which is a significant concern heading into another European two-legged tie. A 1-0 win over Omonia Nicosia earlier in the campaign showed they can be disciplined and clinical, but the Levski results exposed their limitations against organised European opposition.
Anderlecht’s last five matches have been eventful. They beat PAOK 3-2 in a high-scoring encounter and followed that up with a 3-1 win over Hammarby, demonstrating their ability to score goals consistently. A 1-0 win over PAOK in the earlier leg showed defensive resolve when needed. The most recent result was a 0-1 loss to Beveren, which is the one blemish, though that came in a domestic context. Across their last six, Anderlecht have four wins and one draw alongside that single defeat, and their attacking output has been relentless throughout. Mihajlo Cvetkovic has chipped in with two goals and an assist, while Lukas Ambros and Leo Petrot have both contributed goals from deeper positions, giving Anderlecht multiple scoring threats across the pitch.
Most Recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | Kairat Almaty | Anderlecht |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 0 | 0 |
🚨Check out our dedicated Kairat Almaty vs Anderlecht stats page for more info.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Anderlecht the favourite
- Moneyline Kairat Almaty 3.30 | Anderlecht 2.05
- Draw 3.40
- Over/Under Over 2.5 1.85 | Under 2.5 1.95
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes 1.90 | No 1.90
Anderlecht at around 2.05-2.16 looks like the most sensible option given everything the stats suggest. The draw at 3.20-3.50 is not without merit if you think Kairat’s defensive structure holds, but their recent European form makes that harder to back. Kairat at 3.12-3.45 is a long shot that only makes sense if you believe the home advantage in Almaty will dramatically shift the dynamic, which is possible but not likely against a side of Anderlecht’s quality. Over 2.5 goals is also worth considering given Anderlecht’s attacking numbers.
Possible Starting Lineups
Kairat Almaty Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Temirlan Anarbekov
- DF: Luis Mata, Lucas Áfrico, Damir Kasabulat, Aleksandr Shirobokov
- MF: Jaakko Oksanen, Aleksandr Mrynskiy, Gustavo Mendonca, Olzhas Baybek
- FW: Marc Gual, Oiva Jukkola
Kairat look set to line up in their familiar 4-2-3-1 shape, with Temirlan Anarbekov in goal. The defensive line is built around Luis Mata and Lucas Áfrico, both of whom have featured consistently in recent matches and bring reasonable passing ability from the back. In midfield, Jaakko Oksanen is the most active passer in the squad, logging 67 passes across three games, and he will be key to any Kairat build-up play. Marc Gual is the main creative outlet and has been the most prolific shot-taker in the squad. Oiva Jukkola leads the attack and will look to stretch Anderlecht’s defensive line.
Anderlecht Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Colin Coosemans
- DF: Giulian Biancone, Leo Petrot, Ali Maamar, Ludwig Augustinsson
- MF: Lukas Ambros, Marco Kana, Enric Llansana
- FW: Mihajlo Cvetkovic, Danylo Sikan, Tristan Degreef
Anderlecht’s 4-3-3 is well-suited for an away game where they will want to press high and use their wide forwards to get in behind. Colin Coosemans starts in goal and has been reliable throughout this run. Giulian Biancone has been exceptional in distribution, racking up 256 passes across five games, while Leo Petrot mirrors that from the opposite side. Enric Llansana is a pressing engine in the middle third with seven interceptions across five matches. Up front, Sikan and Cvetkovic are the danger men, and both will cause Kairat’s backline serious problems if Anderlecht establish their rhythm early.
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Anderlecht. Source: Official Website
TipsGG Match Prediction
We think Anderlecht win this first leg. Kairat are a capable side at home and their season record of 17 wins from 31 matches shows they are no pushover in domestic competition. The back-to-back European losses to Levski Sofia, though, are a red flag, and Anderlecht are a considerably stronger side than Levski. The Belgian club’s shot volume, corner count, and overall territorial dominance in recent matches point clearly toward an away win. Honestly, the only real question is the margin. We back Anderlecht to win, both teams to score, and the match to go over 2.5 goals. Kairat will likely get something from a set piece or a counter, but Anderlecht’s attack has too many moving parts for the hosts to keep out completely.
