Kairat Almaty vs RSC Anderlecht

A place in the Europa League league phase is on the line when Kairat Almaty host Anderlecht in the first leg of their play-off round tie. Kairat dropped down after Champions League qualifying elimination, while Anderlecht advanced by eliminating PAOK 4-2 on aggregate. Domestically, Anderlecht sit fifth in the early Belgian Pro League table, while Kairat top the Kazakhstan Premier League unbeaten so far this season. Anderlecht arrive full of confidence: Mykhailo Svyatkovych struck the opener inside the first minute against PAOK, and the team followed up with a 3-2 second-leg win before beating RAAL La Louvière domestically. Kairat remain unbeaten in the league, built around the goals of top scorer Costa Monteiro, though they were eliminated 2-0 on aggregate by Levski Sofia in Champions League qualifying. The clubs have no previous meetings to speak of, leaving little history to draw on. Our prediction: 1-1