Both targeting what would be a first win in this season’s Champions League, Kairat Almaty will play host to Pafos on Tuesday evening.
The two teams are separated by just one point and four places at the bottom of the league phase table.
Hosts Kairat have endured a baptism of fire on their Champions League debut, losing heavily to both Sporting Lisbon and Real Madrid, the latter of which brought up all three of my bets.
However, it would be fair to say that a home game with Pafos will represent a more realistic opportunity for Rafael Urazbakhtin’s hosts to finally get off the mark.
As for the visitors, they kicked off their Champions League campaign by putting in a spirited display to claim a 0-0 draw away at Olympiacos.
However, the Cypriot outfit were then dealt a reality check when being thumped 5-1 by Bayern Munich, with the German giants justifying my faith in them to win with some room to spare.
How the bookies view it: A close contest on the cards
The bookmakers are struggling to separate the pair, with Kairat Almaty narrow outsiders at 17/10 on Boylesports while Pafos are marginal favourites at 8/5 with the same firm.
Meanwhile, an all square affair at the Ortalyq Stadıon in Kazakhstan can be backed at 23/10 with Boylesports.
Head to head: History book blank
Given that these two teams have not been regulars on the European circuit in recent years, it’s no surprise that the pair will come up against each other for the first time ever on Tuesday evening.
Players to watch: Mislav to make his mark?
Pafos winger Mislav Orsic made the net bulge against Bayern Munich on matchday two. Having also scored in each of his last two outings in the Cypriot top-flight, Orsic looks well worthy of support to register a minimum of one shot on target during this contest at 7/10 with Ladbrokes.
Edmilson got himself on the scoresheet during Kairat’s aforementioned 4-1 loss at Sporting Lisbon on matchday one. The Brazilian forward is a 5/2 anytime goalscorer option on Bet365 on Tuesday evening.
Predicted line-ups
Kairat boss Urazbakhtin will be unable to call upon the services of injured trio Alexandr Zarutskiy, Elder Santana and Joao Paulo.
As for Pafos, they will come into this clash without long-term absentee Pedrao, but apart from that they could have a clean bill of health.
Kairat Almaty: Anarbekov; Tapalov, Martynovich, Sorokin, Mata; Mrynskiy, Kasabulat, Arad, Gromyko; Jorginho, Edmilson
Pafos: Michael; Luiz, Goldar, Luckassen; Pileas, Sunjic, Rodrigues, Jaja; Dragomir, Anderson, Orsic
Anything else catch the eye?
Given the dynamics of this tie, this may be an occasion where the fear of losing outweighs a desire to win.
As such, goals could be at a premium in Kazakhstan on Tuesday evening, with under 2.5 strikes looking like a strong runner at 7/10 on Boylesports.
Alternatively, the 10/11 on Boylesports about Both Teams to Score No also look worthy of interest in this basement battle.
GambleAware