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Kuopion Palloseura and CS Universitatea Craiova continue their pursuit of a place in the league phase of the Europa League when they meet in the first leg of their third-round qualifying tie on Thursday night.
KuPS dropped into the competition after suffering a 3-0 aggregate defeat to Sabah in the Champions League qualifiers, while Craiova also saw their Champions League ambitions ended following a 3-2 aggregate loss against Levski Sofia.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
KuPS vs. Craiova key stats
- KuPS have lost just one league match all season and sit top of the Veikkausliiga with a five-point cushion over second.
- Their tally of 33 league goals is the highest in Finland's top flight, while only one side has conceded fewer than their 16 goals against.
- The Finnish champions were hoping to reach the third round of Champions League qualifying for the first time, but their defeat to Sabah ended that dream.
- Craiova have collected two wins from their opening three league fixtures despite suffering a heavy 5-1 defeat.
- Their nine league goals is currently the highest tally in Romania's Superliga.
KuPS vs. Craiova preview: Who will edge closer to league phase football?
KuPS vs. Craiova Tale of the Tape
| KuPS (26/27 Veikkausliiga) | vs | Craiova (Superliga 26/27) |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | Position | 1st |
| 6 | Points | 39 |
| 9 | Goals For | 33 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 16 |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | 7 |
| 1st / 12th | Home / Away Rank | 2nd / 1st |
Following their disappointing Champions League exit against Sabah, Miika Nuutinen's side returned to league action with an impressive 1-0 victory over fellow title challengers Gnistan, extending their lead at the top of the Veikkausliiga to five points.
The Finnish champions have once again been the standout side domestically, scoring more goals than any other club while also boasting one of the strongest defensive records in the division.
That form has them firmly on course to retain the league title they won last season, although their hopes of reaching the Champions League league phase were ended by successive defeats against Sabah.
Europa League qualification now represents KuPS' final opportunity to secure league phase football this season, and home advantage in the first leg could prove crucial against one of the strongest sides left in the competition.
As for Craiova, they arrive in Finland as reigning Romanian champions after lifting the Liga I title for the fifth time in their history, earning themselves a a shot a Champions League football.
Due to Romania's position in the UEFA coefficient rankings, their league title only earned them a place in the Champions League qualifying rounds rather than automatic qualification for the league phase.
The White-Blues comfortably brushed aside ML Vitebsk 5-1 on aggregate in the opening qualifying round before seeing their European ambitions ended by Levski Sofia, who edged through 3-2 over two legs.
Following a shock 5-1 defeat and their second round qualifier loss, the White-Blues responded strongly with a 4-0 win over Petrolul Ploiesti.
With nine goals scored in just three Superliga matches and confidence restored ahead of Thursday's first leg, Craiova will believe they have every chance of taking an advantage back to Romania next week.
KuPS vs Craiova form guide & betting tips
| KuPS | vs | Craiova |
|---|---|---|
W
L
W
L
W |
Form |
W
L
D
D
W
|
| 6 | Goals For | 13 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 8 |
W
L
L
L
|
European Form |
W
W
L
D*
|
Whispers predicts: KuPS 1-1 Craiova
We expect the opening leg to be a closely fought contest between two evenly matched champions, with neither side likely to gain a decisive advantage before next week's return fixture.
Both teams possess enough attacking quality to find the net, but with so much at stake, we expect a cautious encounter that ends level in Finland.
Under 2.5 goals is priced at 9/10, while Both Teams To Score is available at 8/11.
Our correct score prediction of 1-1 is available at 11/2.
> Under 2.5 goals at 9/10 | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS yes at 8/11 | Likelihood: Probable
> Exact scoreline of 1-1 at 11/2 | Likelihood: Possible