Back
Steffen Schmidt - August 2, 2023
KuPS vs Derry City
UEFA Conference League Qualification
Date: 3 August 2023, Thursday
Kick-off at 17:00 UK / 18:00 CET
Venue: Kuopion Keskuskentan tekonurmi (Kuopio).
KuPS restored the lead in the Finnish Veikkausliiga standings thanks to a 2-0 victory over KTP at the weekend.
They have thus ended a four-game winless thread across competitions to boost up the atmosphere in the dressing room ahead of the very important UEFA Conference League second qualifying round return leg against Derry City.
The Irish Premier Division outfit won the first leg 2-1 courtesy of a second half comeback. KuPS controlled ball possession but Derry City had much better chances on the occasion.
The tie is wide open ahead of the rematch in Finland. We do, however, fancy the hosts because of their somewhat richer experience in European competitions.
KuPS reached the playoffs for Europa League and Conference League in successive years before being eliminated by Young Boys in the Conference League third qualifying round last year.
They are the current Veikkausliiga leaders with only 11 goals shipped in 18 opening outings.
Derry City, on the other side, have failed to reach the third qualifying round of any continental competition since 2009/10 season when they were eliminated by Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia in the Europa League.
The Northern Irish team are currently third in the Irish Premier League table with 12 wins in 25 matches.
It is important to say that Derry City boast the best defensive record in the Premier Division with only 18 goals conceded in 25 matches.
KuPS have gained confidence with a 2-0 win over KTP on Sunday. They are very hard to break down in front of the home fans this season in Finnish Veikkausliiga. Knowing that Derry City also own the best defensive record in their domestic league in this term, we will go for the Under 2.5 goals FT as the main betting option at the 1.57 odds.
Due to their more respectable European success in recent years as well as the fact they are the current Veikkausliiga leaders, we fancy KuPS to get the win on Thursday at the 1.95 odds.
