July 8th UEFA Champions League - NK Olimpija Ljubljana VS FC Kairat Almaty Prediction
UEFA Champions League - NK Olimpija Ljubljana VS FC Kairat Almaty
Match Time:09-07-2025 01:00 Wednesday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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NK Olimpija Ljubljana Review
NK Olimpija Ljubljana, the 2024 Slovenian PrvaLiga champions, secured their second title in three seasons with 74 points, boasting the league’s best defense (20 goals conceded). Coached by Jorge Simão, their 4-2-3-1 formation relies on forwards Alex Matthias Tamm (5 goals) and Marko Brest, with midfielders Diogo Pinto and Peter Agba driving play. Olimpija are unbeaten in their last five matches (W4-D1-L0), including a 3-0 friendly win over CSKA Sofia and a 4-0 rout of Vllaznia, averaging 2.4 goals per match. Their home form at Stožice Stadium is strong (9W in 12 competitive games), scoring 2+ goals in nine. However, a 3-3 draw with MTK Budapest exposed defensive lapses. No major injuries reported, with Mateo Aćimović and Dino Kojić back from U21 duties. Recent form: WWDWW.
FC Kairat Almaty Review
FC Kairat Almaty, the 2024 Kazakhstan Premier League champions, sit second in 2025, one point behind Astana. Coached by Rafael Urazbakhtin, their 4-2-3-1 formation features Ricardinho (7 goals) and wingers Jug Stanojev and Jorge Monteiro, averaging 2.07 goals per match. Kairat are unbeaten in their last four (W3-D1-L0), including a 4-0 thrashing of Turan on July 4, 2025, with 28 corners in their last five games showing attacking intent. Their away form is solid (5W-2D-1L), but a 1-3 loss to Bodø/Glimt in 2024-25 Europa League qualifiers highlights defensive issues (0.86 goals conceded per match). Herdi Prenga’s knee injury is a concern, but Robert Savalnieks is available. Recent form: WWDWW.
Head to Head
No prior competitive meetings exist between Olimpija and Kairat, making this first leg on July 8, 2025, at Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana, a fresh encounter. Both teams favor a 4-2-3-1, with Olimpija’s defensive solidity (3 clean sheets in 4) contrasting Kairat’s high-pressing, flank-heavy style (64% of matches with both teams scoring). Expected goals per match: ~2.9, with a 51% chance of both teams scoring and 53.24% for over 2.5 goals, per predictive models.
Prediction: NK Olimpija Ljubljana 2-1 FC Kairat Almaty
The UEFA Champions League first qualifying round first leg on July 8, 2025, at 17:00 UTC is a tactical battle. Olimpija’s home dominance (9W in 12, 2.31 goals per game) and defensive record (0.55 goals conceded) give them an edge, with Tamm and Brest likely to exploit Kairat’s defensive gaps. Kairat’s in-season form (2.93 goals per game, 8 goals in 5) and Ricardinho’s scoring threat make them dangerous on the counter, but their 10 yellows and 2 reds in five games suggest discipline issues. Bookmakers favor Olimpija (odds 1.70), with a 54.14% win probability and both teams to score at 1.82. X posts highlight Olimpija’s home advantage but note Kairat’s attacking flair, with a 1-1 draw (14.21%) or 2-1 win (12.23%) as likely outcomes. Olimpija’s clean-sheet streak (31% chance to win to nil) tips the scales. Tamm to score, Ricardinho a threat for Kairat.
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