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Looking to book their place in the Europa League league phase, Universitatea Craiova and Kuopion Palloseura meet in Romania on Thursday after playing out a 1-1 draw in Finland last week.
Craiova took the lead through Stefan Baiaram after 39 minutes, but the hosts levelled with 18 minutes of normal time remaining when Jaime Moreno found the net.
Both sides have been in domestic action since the first leg, with Filipe Coelho's side suffering a 1-0 defeat to Arges Pitesti, while Keltamusta were held to a 1-1 draw by TPS.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Craiova vs. KuPS key stats
- Only one team has scored more goals than Craiova in the opening four SuperLiga matches of the season.
- However, only three sides have conceded more, with the majority of Craiova's goals against coming in a 5-1 defeat.
- KuPS have the best attacking record in the Veikkausliiga and the third-best defensive record during the 2026 season.
- The visitors have not lost a league match since the start of May, when they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Oulu.
Craiova vs. KuPS preview: Who will advance to the league phase?
Craiova vs. KuPS — Tale of the Tape
| Craiova | vs | KuPS |
|---|---|---|
| 6th (SuperLiga) | Position | 1st (Veikkausliiga) |
| 6 | Points | 40 |
| 9 | Goals For | 34 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 17 |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | 7 |
| 2nd / 12th | Home / Away Rank | 1st / 1st |
Earlier this year, Craiova claimed their first league title since 1991 while also lifting the Cupa Romaniei for the eighth time in their history, capping off a memorable campaign.
The White-Blues began their title defence with victory but were then thrashed 5-1 in their second matchweek fixture, before responding with another win and defeat, while their Champions League hopes were ended by Levski Sofia.
Turning their European ambitions towards the Europa League, they traveled to Finland as firm favourites.
However, they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw, leaving the Romanian side needing to make home advantage count in Thursday's decisive second leg.
Craiova have since returned to SuperLiga action, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Arges Pitesti for their second loss in four league outings and leaving them needing a response ahead of their latest European test.
KuPS find themselves in a similar position in the qualifying rounds but have enjoyed a considerably stronger domestic campaign, although they have played 19 league matches compared to Craiova's four.
After 19 games, the Finnish champions sit top of the Veikkausliiga with 40 points and a five-point advantage over Inter.
Their attacking record has been a major factor behind that position, with no other side coming close to their league-leading tally of 34 goals.
Should Nuutinen's side successfully defend their title, it would be the ninth league triumph in their history and their third in a row.
However, their domestic dominance has not translated into European qualification, with failure to reach the league phase on Thursday continuing a trend that has seen them fall at the qualifying stage in five of the last eight seasons.
Craiova vs. KuPS form guide & betting tips
| Craiova | vs | KuPS |
|---|---|---|
L
D
W
D
L
|
Form |
W
D
L*
D
W
|
| 8 | Goals For | 5 |
| 9 | Goals Against | 3 |
D
|
Europa League |
D
|
Whispers predicts: Craiova 2-1 KuPS
Craiova are strong favourites to win on Thursday, with a home victory priced at 1/3, while KuPS are available at 8/1.
Both sides found the net in Finland and have shown enough attacking quality to suggest another open contest, with Both Teams to Score priced at 11/8.
We expect another tight encounter, but home advantage could give Craiova the edge, with a 2-1 victory available at 17/2 and Over 2.5 Goals priced at 9/10.
> Craiova to win at 1/3 | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 11/8 | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 9/10 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score of 2-1 at 17/2 | Likelihood: Longshot