Celtic vs Kairat Almaty - Live Stream

View the live stream and TV coverage details, probable lineups, and prediction for Celtic vs Kairat Almaty - Champions League Qualifier play-off round.

The UEFA Champions League playoffs continue on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, with Celtic hosting Kairat Almaty in the first leg at Celtic Park. The Scottish champions aim to secure a commanding advantage at home, while Kairat travel with hopes of springing an upset and keeping their group stage dream alive.

• Kick-off: 20:00 BST (UK) / 01:00 Almaty time (Aug 21)

How to Watch

• Great Britain: Live on TNT Sports 1, with streaming on discovery+ Premium.
• Kazakhstan: Coverage on Qazsport and Q Sport.

Live text commentary and stats will also be provided on UEFA’s MatchCentre, with both clubs offering minute-by-minute updates and lineups on their official social media channels.

Team News

Celtic:

Manager Brendan Rodgers will be without summer signing Hayato Inamura, who was left out of the European squad. However, key players including Reo Hatate, Benjamin Nygren, and veteran goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel are set to return to the XI. Star winger Daizen Maeda remains central to Celtic’s attack and is tipped as the danger man.

Kairat Almaty:

The Kazakh side arrive with a full squad and confidence after coming through tough qualifying rounds against Olimpija Ljubljana, KuPS, and Slovan Bratislava. Their squad depth and defensive discipline will be tested against Celtic’s high press.

Predicted Lineups

• Celtic (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Hatate, O’Riley; Nygren, Maeda, Palma.
• Kairat Almaty (4-5-1): Zarutskiy; Tapalov, Martynovich, Sorokin, Luís Mata; Arad, Glazer, Kasabulat, Jorginho, Edmilson; Satpayev.

Form & Build-Up

• Celtic: Enter the tie in strong domestic form, unbeaten in their opening fixtures and looking sharp in attack. Rodgers’ men are focused on establishing a first-leg cushion before the demanding away trip to Kazakhstan.
• Kairat Almaty: Enjoyed an unbeaten streak in their domestic league before a recent setback, but their resilience in European qualifiers makes them a team not to underestimate.

Odds & Predictions

Bookmakers heavily back Celtic:

• Racing Post lists Celtic as 1/12 favorites, while Kairat are 14/1 outsiders.
• Betting tips highlight Maeda to score, Celtic to win comfortably, and a possible clean sheet.
• Analysts suggest Over 2.5 goals, with Celtic likely to control possession and territory.
• Prediction: Celtic to secure a dominant 3-0 home victory, with Maeda pivotal in attack and Kieran Tierney expected to provide key contributions from defense.