Kairat vs Club Brugge

It has been a miserable UCL campaign for Kairat Almaty [LDLLL], who enter round seven rooted to the bottom of the table after collecting just one point from six matches [0W, 1D, 6L]. That solitary return came via a 0-0 draw against Pafos in October, one of three league-phase fixtures in which they failed to find the net. Defensive frailties have been just as costly, with the Kazakh champions conceding 15 goals overall, leaving confidence at a low ebb heading into this clash. Concerns are heightened by Kairat’s lack of match sharpness, as their last competitive outing came over a month ago in a 1-0 UCL defeat to Olympiacos. Their domestic campaign concluded in October, albeit on a high note after Rafael Urazbakhtin’s side clinched the 2025 Kazakh league title. Still, European competition has told a different story, with the Team of the Nation now winless in their last 12 UEFA group-stage or league-phase matches [0W, 3D, 9L]. This fixture marks the first-ever UEFA meeting between Kairat Almaty and Club Brugge, with neither side having previously faced opposition from the other’s country. The hosts also have defensive headaches, as confirmed absentee Azamat Tuyakbayev reduces Urazbakhtin’s options at the back, while Olzhas Baybek, João Paulo, Élder Santana and Dastan Satpayev remain fitness doubts. Urazbakhtin may stick with a 4—2—3—1 pattern with Edmilson leading the attack.

Club Brugge arrive in Almaty under pressure themselves. Ivan Leko’s men returned to action on Friday but squandered a two-goal lead in a 3-2 defeat to La Louvière, marking a fourth loss in seven competitive matches [3W, 0D, 4L]. Their European form has been equally underwhelming [LLDLL], managing just one win from six league-phase games [1W, 1D, 4L], leaving them 31st in the standings and three points adrift of the play-off positions. Defensive instability has been Brugge’s Achilles’ heel, conceding three or more goals in each of their last four continental outings. Their struggles extend away from home too, with all three UCL road trips ending in defeat [LLL] and a broader run of six away league-phase matches without a win [0W, 1D, 5L]. As FC Bruges prepare for their 150th European Cup appearance, they face late fitness checks for goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, while Christos Tzolis and Lynnt Audoor are also doubts. Romeo Vermant may start upfront in a 4—2—3—1 formation.