While the football world remains fixated on the latter stages of the World Cup in North America, the road to next season’s Champions League is already beginning elsewhere. For Kairat and Sutjeska Niksic, Wednesday’s first qualifying round clash in Almaty represents the first of four hurdles standing between them and the competition’s lucrative league phase.

The Kazakh champions enter the tie as clear favourites after another impressive domestic campaign, while the visitors from Montenegro arrive with ambitions of causing an upset and extending their European adventure into the summer months.

With home advantage, match sharpness and recent continental experience on their side, Kairat know this is a tie they will be expected to control from the outset.

Kairat hoping European memories can inspire another run

Kairat enjoyed the greatest continental campaign in the club’s history last season when they reached the Champions League proper for the first time.

Although the Kazakh side ultimately finished bottom of the table with a single point to their name, sharing a pitch with some of Europe’s elite represented a major milestone for the club and provided valuable experience for a squad that now returns to qualifying action with far greater belief.

Domestically, Rafael Urazbakhtin’s side arrive in excellent form. Four consecutive victories and 15 goals scored during that run have kept Kairat firmly involved in another title race, while the advantage of being in mid-season rhythm should not be underestimated at this stage of European qualifying.

The hosts will, however, be without one of their brightest young talents. Chelsea-bound teenager Dastan Satpaev has already played his final European match for the club before his move to England later this summer, leaving others to shoulder greater attacking responsibility.

Jorginho and Edmilson are expected to carry much of the creative burden, while new arrival Marc Gual could be handed a significant role as Kairat look to establish a healthy advantage before next week’s return leg.

Sutjeska face uphill task after difficult preparation

Sutjeska enter the tie in very different circumstances. While their hosts are fully immersed in a domestic title race, the Montenegrin champions are still waiting for their new league campaign to begin and arrive in Kazakhstan having lost all three of their summer friendlies.

That lack of competitive football may prove significant against an opponent already operating at full intensity.

European competition has traditionally proved difficult territory for the visitors. Sutjeska have yet to reach either a playoff round or league phase in UEFA competition, while last season’s Conference League campaign ended in disappointment with a heavy aggregate defeat to Beitar Jerusalem.

Experience remains one of the few advantages available to Milorad Pekovic’s side. Veteran goalkeeper and captain Vlado Giljen is preparing for his 28th European appearance for the club, while striker Vasilije Cavor once again carries much of the goalscoring expectation.

Former Montenegro Under-21 international Balsa Toskovic is expected to lead the line, supported by one of the most domestically assembled squads in European football. Only three members of the current squad were born outside Montenegro, giving Sutjeska a strong local identity that is increasingly rare in the modern game.

Verdict

Champions League qualifying often produces surprises, but this fixture appears heavily weighted in favour of the hosts. Kairat possess greater European experience, superior squad depth and the significant advantage of being midway through a competitive domestic season. Their recent goalscoring form also suggests confidence is high heading into the opening leg.

Sutjeska will hope to remain in the contest ahead of the return fixture in Montenegro, but avoiding defeat in Almaty may prove a difficult task given the gulf in preparation and continental pedigree between the two sides.

Tip

Kairat to win with a clean sheet

The Kazakh champions should have too much quality and sharpness for opponents still finding their rhythm after the summer break. Home advantage and recent momentum point towards a comfortable first-leg victory.