Advantage Kairat, but Slovan Bratislava remain slight favourites to face Celtic | OneFootball

Only Kairat Almaty or Slovan Bratislava stand between Celtic and Champions League group stage football and that £40m that’s on offer if the Hoops win their play-off round in either Eastern Europe or Eastern Asia later this month…

Those two sides played out the first leg of their qualifier in Kazakstan yesterday as they looked to earn the right to play Celtic in the play offs.

The home side have the advantage after a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to a last minute spot kick from the 16 year-old star player in what was an otherwise drab game of football.

Judging by the quality on show we would have to ask serious questions if we failed to beat either side and missed out on competing in the money laden group stages. Both looked below average at best and we should be licking our lips at the prospect of facing either.

At the moment it’s Kairat – Football Rankings saying: “Kairat, playing in the middle of Asia, played once in the group stage of the Conference League, but could do even more this season!” who have the advantage but it’s Slovan that have to be the overwhelming favourites due to Kairat’s woeful away record.

The Kazakhstan’s don’t travel well judging by previous results, and Slovan have that bit more experience having taken part in the Champions League group stages last season, without achieving anything other than experience and of course money.

We are well and capable of beating both sides, but Slovan would be our preferred option due to the logistics involved, and in my book they should still be the favourites to earn the right to face Celtic in the Play-off round.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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