Finnish champions face ambitious Romanians: prediction for KuPS vs Universitatea Craiova
The third qualifying round clash of the Europa League between KuPS and Universitatea Craiova is set for August 6 at the Kuopion Keskuskenttä Stadium in Kuopio. The Finnish champions are leading their domestic league, while the Romanian club, after dropping out of Champions League qualifying, will be aiming to make a rare push into the later stages of European qualification.
KuPS: league leaders banking on home advantage
KuPS approach this match fresh off a narrow 1-0 win over Gnistan, sitting atop the Finnish Veikkausliiga. After 18 rounds, Miika Nuutinen’s side have collected 39 points, holding a five-point cushion over their closest rivals, Inter Turku.
In Champions League qualifying, the Finns were twice beaten by Azerbaijan’s Sabah, dropping them into the Europa League, where they have plenty of experience at this stage. The hosts will be without Samuel Pasanen and long-term absentee Jerri Voutilainen, but Johannes Kreidl, captain Petteri Pennanen, and forward Jaime José Moreno Chourchari are all expected to return to the starting lineup.
Universitatea Craiova: Romanian champions maintain attacking momentum
Universitatea Craiova ended a 35-year wait for a league title and have kicked off the new season with six points from three matches, currently sitting third. In their last outing, Filipe Coelho’s squad demolished Petrolul 4-0, having earlier clinched the Romanian Super Cup with a penalty shootout victory over Universitatea Cluj.
In Champions League qualification, the Romanians knocked out ML Vitebsk but then bowed out to Levski over two legs after a 0-1 loss and a 2-2 draw. Pavlo Isenko and Alexandru Yamandake will miss the match due to knee injuries, but Juraj Badelj returns from suspension, and the main attacking threat will be Steven Nsimba, who has scored five goals in his last seven games, including a brace against Petrolul.
Match facts and head-to-head
- KuPS lead the Finnish league with 39 points from 18 games.
- Universitatea Craiova thrashed Petrolul 4-0 in their last match.
- These teams have never met before, and it will be the Romanian club’s first ever match against Finnish opposition.
Will the visitors take an advantage back to Romania? KuPS vs Universitatea Craiova prediction
KuPS are in fine form and at home can certainly put up a fight. The Finns are consistent domestically and have been able to rotate their squad ahead of this European tie, but the defeats to Sabah showed that they struggle when up against higher-quality attacking sides.
Universitatea Craiova boast greater individual quality and come into the game riding high after a convincing domestic win. Nsimba is in red-hot form, and the return of Badelj should bolster their defense, so the visitors look well-placed to claim a narrow advantage ahead of the second leg.
