After bowing out of the Champions League qualifiers, RFS and KuPS now switch focus to the Europa League as they meet in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie at LNK Sporta Parks.
Check out our RFS vs KuPS Kuopio predictions below.
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RFS vs KuPS Kuopio prediction: A tough night in store for KuPS?
Key stats
- KuPS have failed to score in each of their last four European away games.
- RFS have recorded five clean-sheet victories in their previous 10 home matches across all competitions.
- KuPS have lost three of their last 10 matches on the road in all competitions, failing to score in each of those defeats.
Correct score prediction: RFS 2-0 KuPS Kuopio
This prediction reflects both teams' recent patterns. The hosts have been particularly strong on home soil, combining attacking intent with defensive solidity at LNK Sporta Parks. In contrast, the Finnish visitors have endured some challenging away days in Europe and could struggle once again.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Hosts backed to prevail
HOME: 17/20 (1.85) – 54.1%
DRAW: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
AWAY: 3/1 (4.00) – 25.0%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
With a 17/20 price, RFS are the bookmakers' pick to take the first-leg advantage, their 54.1% implied win probability more than doubling KuPS’ 25.0% at 3/1.
Backed by their supporters in Riga, the Latvian club will be eager to make their home advantage count and seize control of this two-legged tie.
For those looking at additional markets, the odds for ‘Both Teams to Score – No’ stand at 1/1 (2.00), implying a 50.0% chance. That bet could be worth considering, especially given KuPS have failed to find the net in both away games during their Champions League qualifying campaign this season.
While we take a deeper look at our RFS vs KuPS Kuopio prediction, you can peek at some of the best Champions League and Europa League qualifying picks and predictions from today’s free football betting tips from Football Whispers.
Most recent H2Hs: First-ever meeting
This tie marks the first-ever contest between these two clubs – unsurprising, given their participation in separate domestic leagues and infrequent encounters in European competitions.
RFS preview: Ikaunieks suspended after red card in Sweden
RFS head into the contest on the back of a 3–2 away victory over Grobina in the Latvian top flight, a result that helped lift morale following their Champions League elimination at the hands of Malmo. That tie ended 5–1 on aggregate, forcing Viktors Morozs’s men to drop into the Europa League pathway.
However, they will be without experienced midfielder Janis Ikaunieks, who is suspended after receiving a red card in the return leg against the Swedish side.
Predicted lineup: Maric (GK), Gaye, Lipuscek, Veips, Njie, Savalnieks, Zelenkov, Panic, Rakic, Lemajic & Wooter
Europe Friendlies 31/01/17
W
SK Babite
1
RFS
3
KuPS Kuopio preview: Toure to start with Sadiku doubtful
KuPS saw their Champions League ambitions dashed by Kazakhstan's Kairat, despite securing a 2–0 first-leg lead in Kuopio. A 3–0 loss in Almaty turned the tie on its head and dropped them into the Europa League qualifiers.
Jani Honkavaara’s side responded with a hard-fought 3–2 victory over Haka in the Veikkausliiga, although there were concerns as striker Agon Sadiku — who opened the scoring — was withdrawn before the half-hour mark with an apparent injury. His availability remains uncertain, meaning Mohamed Toure, who scored twice in his place, is likely to lead the line.
Predicted lineup: Hakala (GK), Hamalainen, Mettinen, Sisse, Savolainen, Arifi, Oksanen, Pennanen, Ruoppi, Luyeye-Lutumba & Toure
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
Player to watch: Darko Lemajic
Darko Lemajic has been a consistent threat in front of goal, with nine goals in his last 10 appearances across all competitions. The Serbian forward came off the bench to score in the win over Grobina at the weekend and is expected to spearhead the attack this time around.
