Moldova top dogs Milsami Orhei draw swords against Veikkausliiga champions KuPS when they travel to Vare Areena in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, 8 July.
View our Champions League predictions after going through our KuPS vs Milsami preview.
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KuPS vs Milsami prediction: Canaries to beat Red Eagles
Key Stats
- KuPS are unbeaten in four successive games across all competitions (W3, D1).
- The Canaries have won eight of their last 10 home league matches (L2).
- Milsami are winless in three of their last five competitive outings (D1, L2).
- The Red Eagles have scored seven goals in their last their three games (W2, L1).
Correct score prediction: KuPS 3-1 Milsami
Although KuPS’ three-match winning streak came to a halt after their 2-2 draw against AC Oulu, the momentum is still in their favour. The hosts, led by Jarkko Wiss, return to the first round of UCL qualifiers following a four-year hiatus thanks to their league heroics last season. The reigning Finnish title holders lost 5-0 to Molde at this stage last time, but it is difficult to see them come away with anything but a victory against a Milsami side winless in five of their last seven games. The defending Moldova champions slipped to their first loss of the new season to Sheriff Tiraspol, and KuPS may well inflict back-to-back losses.
Pre-game odds and win probability: KuPS all the way
- HOME: 2/5 (1.40) – 71.4%
- DRAW: 19/5 (4.80) – 20.8%
- AWAY: 6/1 (7.00) – 14%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
On a four-match unbeaten streak, KuPS are well poised to make it five in a row as they seek to open their UCL journey with a triumph. Bookmakers price the hosts at 2/5 (1.40) odds, indicating a majority 71.4% probability of victory at home in the first leg.
Sherrif Tiraspol beat Milsami 2-1 on the weekend, and the lack of time to prepare before this match will expectedly hurt the hosts as they travel to Finland. They carry 6/1 (7.00) odds to emerge victorious – a mere 14% chance of emerging triumphant.
Don’t forget to check out more of our football betting tips after analysing our KuPS vs Milsami predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: KuPS supremacy
The Canaries beat the Red Eagles 6-3 over two legs in the 2022/23 UEFA Conference League second qualifying round – drawing 2-2 at home before smashing four away at Milsami.
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 28/07/22
FC Milsami
KuPS Kuopio
UEFA Conference League Qualifying 21/07/22
KuPS Kuopio
FC Milsami
KuPS preview: Can they get back to winning ways?
Wiss has a full-strength squad available at his disposal as KuPS look to get off to a winning start in the UCL qualifying campaign.
Predicted lineup: Hakala (GK), Antwi, Miettinen, Cisse, Lotjonen, Hamalainen, Oksanen, Heinonen, Ruoppi, Luyeye & Sadiku
Finland Veikkausliiga 10/05/25
W
KTP
0
KuPS Kuopio
3
Finland Veikkausliiga 02/05/25
W
SJK
0
KuPS Kuopio
1
Finland Veikkausliiga 27/04/25
W
IF Gnistan
1
KuPS Kuopio
2
Finland Veikkausliiga 23/04/25
W
IFK Mariehamn
1
KuPS Kuopio
4
Finland Veikkausliiga 19/04/25
W
FF Jaro
0
KuPS Kuopio
1
Milsami preview: Can the underdogs upset the hosts?
Igor Picusceac is expected to make a couple of changes to his starting eleven following the 2-1 loss to Sheriff.
Predicted lineup: Timbur (GK), Arhirii, Lupano, Jardan, Khali, Lisu, Yoda, Ndon, Ginsari, Chele & Kalabatam
Moldova Divizia Nationala 05/07/25
L
Sheriff Tiraspol
2
FC Milsami
1
Moldova Divizia Nationala 28/06/25
W
FC Politehnica Chisinau
0
FC Milsami
3
Moldova Divizia Nationala 21/06/25
W
Zimbru Chisinau
0
FC Milsami
3
Moldova Cup 24/05/25
L
Sheriff Tiraspol
2
FC Milsami
1
Moldova Divizia Nationala 18/05/25
D
Sheriff Tiraspol
0
FC Milsami
0
Player to Watch: Agon Sadiku
Despite firing a blank In the 2-2 draw against Oulu, Sadiku has all it takes to do the damage against Milsami’s leaky defense. The Finnish marksman netted three in KuPS’ magnificent 6-2 win over Gnistan at the start of July and remains joint-eighth on the list of Veikkausliiga top scorers this season.