Levski Sofia seeking first Champions League group-stage participation in 20 years
Kairat Almaty finished bottom of the League Phase standings last term with one point
Recommended bet: Levski Sofia to win to nil @ 13/10 with LiveScore Bet
Levski Sofia claimed their first league title since 2009 last season, ending Ludogorets' 14-year reign as champions in the process. That achievement meant participation in Champions League qualifying in which they have now reached the third round.
Aggregate victories over Borac Banja Luka and Universitatea Craiova have set up this clash against Kairat, who made their debut in the League Phase last season.
A solitary point was won across eight matches, however, as Kairat finished rock bottom. The Kazakh side are currently second in their domestic league as they seek a third consecutive league title.
The latest Levski Sofia vs Kairat Almaty odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
Team news
Levski Sofia do not have any fresh injury concerns coming into this first leg, with manager Julio Velazquez likely to stick with the same starting XI that saw off Septemvri 3-0 at the weekend.
Kairat also have no injury issues either, and it remains to be seen whether Rafael Urazbakhtin makes changes to his team.
Edmilson came off the bench against Omonia to score the equaliser that forced a penalty shootout, from which they advanced. The Brazilian may be unleashed from the start against Levski.
The latest Levski Sofia vs Kairat Almaty odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
The stats
Levski Sofia are making their first appearance in the Champions League since the 2009-10 campaign, although they have not featured in the group stages since 2006-07.
Levski have faced off against Kazakh opposition four times in European competition ahead of this match, losing just one of those four matches. Their only defeat came against Irtysh back in 2013.
Kairat have never faced a Bulgarian side in Europe before.
The Kazakh side occupy second in their domestic league after winning 13 of their opening 20 matches, losing just once in the process.
Levski have began their Bulgarian title defence well, winning each of their opening three matches to sit top of the table on nine points.
Velazquez’s side are unbeaten in seven games this season, while Kairat have won nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
The latest Levski Sofia vs Kairat Almaty odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
Prediction
This will be a tight match involving two teams who have already played two qualifying ties to reach this stage.
Both Levski and Kairat are in decent form heading into this first leg, although the Bulgarians have a slight advantage given the match will be played at the Georgi Asparuhov Stadium.
Chasing a first group stage participation in 20 years, the current Bulgarian champions will be up for the challenge, but a victory is vital ahead of the second leg in Kazakhstan.
Given that, Levski can secure a narrow win in Sofia in what is expected to be a low-scoring encounter.
Score prediction: Levski Sofia 1–0 Kairat Almaty
Back Levski Sofia to win to nil @ 13/10 with LiveScore Bet.
The latest Levski Sofia vs Kairat Almaty odds are available on LiveScore Bet.
