Will Astana Take Revenge on Kairat and Can Shakhter Stay in the Top Three? Freedom QJ League Matchweek 14 Preview

Note: all three matches between Tobol and Aktobe in Matchweek 14 have been postponed to September 7.

Ordabasy – Atyrau: can the southerners return to the medal race?

The hosts are currently sixth in the table, with a significant gap to third place – Zhas Kyran are eight points ahead with a game in hand. If the Shymkent side wants to stay in the hunt for the prizes, they can’t afford any more mistakes.

This weekend, Ordabasy will face the Oilmen, who thrashed Tobol last week. However, that win was their first of the summer – can the visitors snatch at least a draw in Shymkent?

Shakhter – Taraz: will the Miners slip up?

The hosts are second in the standings, but Zhas Kyran are breathing down their necks – if the Almaty team win their postponed match against Tobol, Shakhter’s one-point lead will turn into a two-point deficit. Shakhter will be determined not to worsen their already tricky position – and they’ll count on Gleb Makridov, who has scored in each of the last six matches.

Zhas Kyran – Kaisar: another draw or a winner this time?

Kyzylorda have drawn each of their last four matches. Now they visit a team that has yet to lose this season, but also tends to end games in a draw. The first-round meeting in Kyzylorda ended 1-1, so it will be especially interesting if someone finally grabs all three points.

Irtysh – Caspiy: tricky visitors

Caspiy have shed their status as the season’s main underdogs, with wins over Ordabasy and Atyrau, a draw against Kairat, and a point taken from Kaisar. Still, they can’t relax – only Tobol, with several games in hand, sit below them.

Last round was painful for Pavlodar, as they suffered a heavy defeat to Kairat. Just like in the first half of the season, the calendar now pairs them with Caspiy straight after facing the Almaty side. In Aktau, Irtysh won 3-0 – what can we expect in the rematch?

Astana – Kairat: battle of the capitals

Erbol Musabayev’s side had a five-match winless run, but last round they crushed Taraz. Now they must prove their crisis is truly behind them in a clash with the season’s main favourites – who have already shown they can be held to a draw. Astana lost the first meeting with Kairat 2-6, and this round will show whether that was just an unfortunate accident.

Alen Pak has recorded a goal contribution in each of the last five games – but this weekend will present a much tougher challenge.