Battle for slots in the Champions League: Accumulator Tips for August 26

Teams continue the battle to make it to the finals of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. Celtic will hope to get a win in Kazakhstan against Kairat Almaty after a goalless first leg. Pafos FC and Red Star Belgrade will lock horns at the Alphamega Stadium in Cyprus, and Sturm Graz will hope to pull a magical comeback against Bodo/Glimt. Below are three selected games from the tournament with expert views, predictions, and odds.

Kairat Almaty vs Celtic

It was a game of defence in Scotland last week in the first leg of this game, with Kairat Almaty failing to manage a single shot on target. Regardless, their defensive line was at its best in the game. The game ended goalless, despite Celtic having over 75% possession. I expect something to change in the second leg in Kazakhstan. The Scottish Champions are far better in this clash despite failing to pick up the lead at home. They have won five of their last six game in European competition playoffs. Interestingly, Celtic have won their last three games away in Kazakhstan, and that will give them an upper hand in this clash. On the other hand, Kairat Almaty are new on the continental stage despite a strong run in Scotland. So, with this, I expect a win for the visitors.

Possible Starting Lineup

Kairat Almaty (4-2-3-1) — Aleksandr Zarutskiy, Aleksandr Mrynskiy, Aleksandr Martynovich, Egor Sorokin, Erkin Tapalov, Arad Ofri, Dan Glazer, Jorginho, Valeriy Gromyko, Dastan Satpaev, Edmilson.

Celtic (4-3-3) — Kasper Schmeichel, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Anthony Ralston, Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Benjamin Nygren, Daizen Maeda, James Forrest, Adam Idah.

• Bet: W2

Pafos FC vs Red Star Belgrade

The first leg of this encounter ended in a shocking 2-1 win for Pafos FC. The Cypriot champions have been exceptional in this campaign, having gone past incredible teams like Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League qualifiers. They made it to this qualifying round after winning their first Cypriot Championship last season. They remain unbeaten in their last 14 games in all competitions and have won their last four in the Champions League. On the other hand, Red Star Belgrade are unbeaten in 20 of their last 22 games. With this, I expect both sides to find the back of the net in this clash, because both sides seem to be in great form. 

Possible Starting Lineup

Pafos FC (4-2-3-1) Neofytos Michael, Bruno Felipe Souza da Silva, Derrick Luckassen, David Goldar, Kostas Pileas, Pedro Rodrigues, Ivan Šunjić; João Pedro Araújo Correia, Vlad Dragomir, Muamer Tanković, Anderson Silva

Red Star Belgrade (4-2-3-1) — Matheus Magalhães, Young-woo Seol, Miloš Veljković, Rodrigo de Souza Prado, Nair Tiknizyan, Timi Max Elšnik, Rade Krunić, Shavy Babicka, Mirko Ivanić, Aleksandar Katai, Cherif Ndiaye.

• Bet: BTTS

Sturm Graz vs Bodo/Glimt

The first leg of this game was one-sided, with Bodo/Glimt securing a 5-0 win over the hosts. While it is almost impossible for the hosts to overturn this deficit, I expect them to display a good fighting spirit. The hosts secured their place in these qualification rounds after securing the Austrian Bundesliga last season, and facing a side that was exceptional in the Europa League last season poses a lot of challenges for them. The hosts have not been doing well against Norwegian sides in recent years, having secured just one win in their last five games against teams from Norway. Regardless, Sturm Graz are unbeaten in seven of their last eight home games. On the other hand, Bodo/Glimt are unbeaten in their last five games on the road but have lost five of their last six away games on the continental stage. While both sides can get the win in this game, I will stick to the goal market and expect both sides to find the back of the net.

Possible Starting Lineup

Sturm Graz (4-3-3) — Oliver Christensen, Emir Karić, Dimitri Lavalée, Tim Oermann, Max Johnston, Tochi Chukwuani, Jon Gorenc Stanković, Tomi Horvat, William Böving, Otar Kiteishvili, Leon Grgic.

Bodo/Glimt (4-3-3) — Nikita Khaikin, Fredrik André Bjørkan, Haitam Aleesami, Odin Lurås Bjørtuft, Fredrik Sjøvold, Ulrik Saltnes, Patrick Berg, Håkon Evjen, Jens Petter Hauge, Kasper Høgh, Isak Dybvik Määttä.

• Bet: BTTS