The Matchday 6 group-stage clash of the 2025/26 Champions League between Kairat (Kazakhstan) and Olympiacos (Greece) will take place on December 9 at Astana Arena. Kairat vs. Olympiacos: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Kairat
Rafaél Urazbakhtin's side came close to overturning a three-goal deficit against Copenhagen in the last round but ultimately lost 2-3. Kairat suffered their fourth defeat in the Champions League group stage, and their winless run including qualifying has reached eight matches. However, note that the Kazakh side have shown improved attacking output across three matches in this competition; prior to that streak the club had not scored more than one goal in nine consecutive fixtures. In the standings the team sits 35th, five points off the play-off zone.
- At least three goals were scored in 4 of Kairat's last 5 Champions League matches.
- At home, the Kazakhs have avoided defeat in 7 of their last 8 Champions League games (5 wins, 2 draws).
- In 5 of the last 6 home matches in this competition the club kept a clean sheet.
Predicted Kairat lineup (4-3-3)
Temirlan Anarbekov – Aleksandr Martynovich, Yegor Sorokin, Aleksandr Mrynskyi, Yerkin Tapalov – Valeriy Gromyko, Dan Glazer, Luís Mata – Damir Kasabulat, Jorginho Costa, Olzhas Baibek.
Defender Ofri Arad is injured. Forward Dastan Satpaev is suspended. Goalkeeper Aleksandr Zarutsky has left the club.
Olympiacos
The Greeks scored at least three goals in a Champions League match for the first time since 2019 in the last round, but that was not enough against Real. Losing 3-4 to the Spaniards, Olympiacos extended their winless run in this competition to nine matches (5 draws, 4 defeats). During that run the club kept only one clean sheet and conceded at least two goals on five occasions. In the group stage Olympiacos have conceded 13 goals, a worse tally only for four opponents. The team sits 33rd in the overall standings.
- The club failed to score more than one goal in 6 of their last 7 Champions League matches.
- Away from home in this competition, the Greeks have failed to win in 11 of their last 12 matches (3 draws, 8 losses).
- At least one goal was scored in both halves in 7 of Olympiacos' last 8 Champions League games.
Predicted Olympiacos lineup (4-4-2)
Konstantinos Tzolakis – Rodinei, Panagiotis Retsos, Lorenzo Pirola, Francisco Ortega – Santiago Este, Christos Mavrokitis, Jélinho Martins, Dani García – Mehdi Taremi, Ayub El Kaabi.
Midfielder Chiquinho and forward Daniel Podence are injured.
Referee
Juan Martínez Munuera (Spain)
Matches – 8 (International fixtures, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 35;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.4;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 38%.
Prediction for Kairat vs Olympiacos
Kairat will play the next two group matches at home, which are crucial for their prospects in the competition. They trail the play-off zone by five points and must aim for maximum points before the trip to London in the final round. Although many of their home fixtures were played during qualifying, Kairat have produced strong results at home in the Champions League, losing there only to Real (5 wins, 2 draws). Only the Spaniards have managed to score more than one goal against the Kazakhs. Against a less prolific Olympiacos, a solid defensive performance will be an added advantage for the hosts.
The Greeks are only marginally better off in the table. José Luis Mendilibar's side will be forced to push forward, leaving spaces at the back, where they have shown instability. Olympiacos conceded in 7 of their last 8 away Champions League matches, and in 6 of those fixtures they conceded at least two goals. Add to that poor away form in this competition — just one win in the last 12 matches (3 draws, 8 losses) — and the hosts' defensive reliability becomes an important factor.
My prediction: Kairat win or draw
