Olimpija Ljubljana vs Kairat prediction, H2H and probable lineups — 8 July 2025
On July 8, 2025, the first qualifying round of the 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League will feature a clash between Olimpija Ljubljana and Kairat. Let's take a closer look at a bet focused on the teams' scoring potential in this encounter.
Olimpija Ljubljana
Olimpija Ljubljana enters the new European campaign as the reigning champions of Slovenia. The team reclaimed the national title after a one-year hiatus, once again proving their dominance on the domestic stage. In addition to their league triumph, Olimpija reached the semifinals of the Slovenian Cup, where they narrowly lost to Celje by a 1-2 scoreline.
Olimpija are seasoned competitors in European tournaments. Last season, they took part in the UEFA Conference League, finishing 14th in the group stage and advancing to the round of 32. However, their journey ended there, as they were eliminated by Borac Banja Luka: after a home draw, they lost the away leg 0-1.
Heading into the new season, Olimpija tuned up with a series of friendlies. The squad played four pre-season matches, winning three and drawing one. Impressively, they kept clean sheets in three of those fixtures.
- See also: KuPS vs Milsami, Champions League qualification. Prediction, H2H and probable lineups — 08 July 2025
Kairat
Kairat, representing Kazakhstan, enters Champions League qualifying as the reigning national champion. The team returned to the summit of Kazakh football after a four-year break—their previous title came in 2020—and now aim to reaffirm their status on the continental stage.
Unlike their opponents, whose domestic league has yet to start, the Kazakhstan Premier League is in full swing, and Kairat are riding high. After 16 rounds, the club sits atop the table, showcasing consistent performances and a well-balanced style of play. In their last five league matches, Kairat are unbeaten and have won the last three without conceding a single goal.
Kairat also have European experience. In 2021, they played in the group stage of the Conference League, but finished bottom of their group and failed to reach the knockout phase. Now, with their current form and solid defense, the club looks far more confident and ready to compete for a spot in the next qualifying round.
Interesting facts and head-to-head
- Olimpija Ljubljana are unbeaten in 7 of their last 8 matches.
- Kairat have won 4 of their last 5 matches.
- Kairat scored the opening goal in 3 of their last 4 games.
- This is the first-ever meeting between Olimpija and Kairat.
Probable lineups
- Olimpija Ljubljana: Fink, Dvorshak, Pedreno, Muhamedbegovic, Merlin, Blanco, Chelhaka, Agba, Talisson, Durdov, Marin.
- Kairat: Anarbekov, Bagdat, Baibek, Sadybekov, Ricardinho, Sorokin, Stanoev, Jorginho, Tapalov, Shirobokov, Tashpulatov.
Prediction for Olimpija Ljubljana vs Kairat
A cautious start is expected in this tie. For Olimpija Ljubljana, this is the first official match of their new season, so the team will likely play carefully, minimizing risks and focusing on keeping a clean sheet. Meanwhile, despite their good form, Kairat are playing away and will likely opt for a pragmatic approach—aiming to secure at least a draw in Slovenia and keep their chances alive for the return leg. Considering the playing styles of both teams and the nature of a first-leg qualifier, a low-scoring, disciplined match with an emphasis on defense seems likely. My pick for this match is under 2.5 goals at odds of 1.89.
