Kazakhstan Premier League Round 16 This Weekend
On Saturday and Sunday, Australian soccer fans can punt on Round 16 of the 2017 Kazakhstan Premier League. Three teams are locked in battle at the top of the ladder, with two more snapping at their heels.
Almaty, home to 1.7-million people, is still the largest city in the vast Central Asian republic, with double the population of the second-largest, Astana. As a result, the fans of FC Astana and Almaty’s FC Kairat make up the majority of Kazakh football supporters, with their teams continuing a proxy civic feud that has been simmering since the Soviet era.
Astana, Kairat, Ordabasy Wrestling for Top Spot
Kairat has by far the more illustrious history, dating back to 1954. They’ve won the Kazakhstan Cup seven times since 1992, most recently in 2014 and 2015, and they were runners-up last year. Astana, in contrast, was only formed in 2009, 12 years after the city replaced Almaty as the capital, but they have achieved notable success in eight years.
They are the current Kazakhstan Cup holders, the third time they’ve won the trophy, and were runners-up in 2015. Astana have also won the Kazakhstan Premier League three times; the same number of times as Kairat has in 25 years. The Blue and Yellows are currently top of the Kazakhstan Premier League ladder, with 11 wins and two draws from 16 matches, on 36 points.
Kairat are close behind on 34, however, although they have played 17 games, with nine wins and seven draws. And just two points behind them, on 32 from 10 wins and two draws in 17 games, is FC Ordabasy, from Kazakhstan’s third-biggest city, Shymkent in the industrial south.
Pavlodar and Tobol Challenging Top Three
Lying fourth and fifth on the 2017 Kazakhstan Premier League table are FC Irtysh Pavlodar on 28 points, and FC Tobol on 25; both teams from the north of the country. All five sides at the top of the ladder have matches this weekend, so betting fans will want to pay particular attention to the Ordabasy vs Kaisar Kyzylorda game on Saturday, and Sunday’s Astana-Aktobe and Pavlodar-Taraz matches.
The most exciting clash of Round 16 will probably be Saturday’s Kairat-Tobol match, however. The Almaty side will be after the top spot on the ladder, while Tobol will have a shot at moving up to fourth. Both teams will be giving their all, so the soccer should be intense.
More About Cameron Hollands
After working part time in one of Australia’s finest casinos to fund his journalism studies, Cameron Hollands discovered a passion for sports betting. A few years and many successful bets later, he is now putting his considerable experience to good use, and is a regular contributor for australiansportsbetting.net.
Cameron’s expert advice, insight into the sporting world and straightforward reporting style has earned him many fans, and he enjoys sharing his expertise with fellow punters.
You May Also Like:
Man U Weighing Up Old Trafford Options
Manchester United are laying several options on the table regarding updating Old Trafford. And these reportedly include bulldozing the entire stadium and building a new one in its place. Even ….
Wyss & Boehly Confident In Chelsea Bid
Billionaire businessmen Hansjorg Wyss and Todd Boehly say they’re feeling confident that their bid to acquire English soccer club Chelsea will be successful. They’re reportedly due to begin formal negotiations ….
Nike Withdraws Mason Greenwood Support
Sports wear giant Nike this week became the latest to add their voice to the Mason Greenwood saga. A statement issued by the company confirms it no longer regards the ….
Former Players Demanding FIFA VP Suspension
Several former members of The Vancouver Whitecaps are demanding the immediate suspension of FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani. The players, who represented the Whitecaps in the 2008 and 2011 seasons, ….
FIFA And EA Call Time On Collaboration
After a collaboration spanning more than 30 years, it now seems as if a split between video games giant EA and world soccer governing body FIFA is indeed imminent. FIFA ….