Kairat Almaty welcome Panathinaikos on Thursday 22 October in the UEFA Conference League, with the two clubs separated by four places in the competition's league table. According to the BBC, Panathinaikos sit 12th on three points while Kairat are 16th on one. Neither team has lost in the competition so far.
The table, last updated by the BBC on 16 October, shows both clubs with a single match played. Panathinaikos won theirs, beating their opening opponent 2-1. Kairat drew 1-1. The Greek side's goal difference of plus one contrasts with Kairat's zero.
Why it matters
Under the competition's format, the top eight teams after the league phase advance directly to the eighth finals, while sides placed 9th to 24th go into a play-off round. Panathinaikos currently occupy a play-off spot, and Kairat sit just inside that same band. A win for either club would strengthen its position; a defeat would leave it chasing points in the remaining fixtures.
The match also matters for the shape of the table itself. With only one round of matches played, the standings remain compressed: fifteen clubs, from leaders Brighton & Hove Albion down to 15th-placed Getafe, are on three points, and a further eight, Kairat among them, have one. A single result can move a team several places.
How the two squads line up
The BBC lists Kairat's starting eleven with Anarbekov in goal and a back line of Tapalov, Martynovich, Baybek and Luís Mata. Martynovich captains the side. Gustavo Mendonça and Oksanen anchor the midfield, with Mrynskiy, Gual and Tuyakbayev supporting striker Edmilson.
Kairat's bench, as reported by the BBC, includes Bekbolat, Birkurmanov, Jukkola, Kalmurza, Kasabulat, Kurgin, Sadybekov and Shirobokov.
Panathinaikos, managed by Jacob Neestrup, start Peña in goal behind Tsapras, Palmer-Brown, de Vrij and Kyriakopoulos. Louza and Camara play in midfield, with Taborda, Tetteh and Andino ahead of them and Dessers leading the attack.
The wider table
Brighton top the standings after a 4-0 win in their opening fixture, the largest margin in the division so far. Copenhagen and Trabzonspor are second and third respectively, each on three points with a goal difference of plus two. Atalanta, Mjällby and Sint-Truiden also hold three points.
At the other end, Kauno Žalgiris are 36th after a 4-0 defeat, with Sporting Braga 35th following a 0-3 loss. Jablonec, Red Star Belgrade, Ajax, Borac Banja Luka, Lincoln Red Imps and CSKA Sofia are all on zero points with a goal difference of minus one.
Kairat's draw places them in a group of eight clubs on one point, alongside Getafe, Midtjylland, Nordsjælland, Egnatia Rrogozhinë, Heart of Midlothian, Riga and Universitatea Craiova. All eight drew their opening matches.
What to watch
The result on Thursday will determine whether Panathinaikos pull clear of the play-off pack or Kairat record their first win of the campaign. The BBC's table will be updated after the match.
