Sutjeska vs Kairat Prediction 15 July 2026

The Montenegrin champions head into the second leg knowing that only a win will do. But how do you chase victory when you're mired in a five-game losing streak? Milorad Peković’s side are in dreadful form, and the fact that the club has never reached the main draw of a European competition hardly inspires confidence ahead of a clash with such a seasoned continental campaigner as Kairat.

In Almaty, Sutjeska managed to trouble the favorites. The Montenegrins defended intelligently for most of the match and capitalized on a rare counter-attack, scoring in the 90th minute. However, even with a defensive approach, they were outclassed in both quality and chances created. The stats tell their own story: 83 dangerous attacks to 33 in favor of the Kazakh side. Now, circumstances force Milorad Peković to take the initiative, which could leave them exposed to swift counter-attacks from a technically superior opponent.

Unlike Sutjeska, Kairat are in excellent form. After 16 rounds in the Kazakhstan Premier League, they have picked up 33 points and sit second in the table, trailing Ordabasy by just a single point. Rafael Urazbakhtin’s side are riding a five-match winning streak and haven’t tasted defeat since late May. With that momentum, few doubted they would kick off their qualification campaign with a victory.

Kairat did come away with the win, but it was anything but straightforward. The Yellow-and-Blacks controlled much of the play but struggled to convert their chances, only securing the result late on thanks to a goal from Mark Gual. The Spanish forward, who joined from Rio Ave on a free transfer, has made an immediate impact-netting four goals in his last four appearances. Kairat have a full-strength squad available, giving the head coach the luxury of relying on all his key players, who will look to exploit the spaces behind the opposition’s back line.