KuPS vs IFK Mariehamn Prediction: A low scoring encounter expected

KuPS will indeed host Mariehamn at Kuopio Football Stadium in their upcoming league fixture. The home team, KuPS, have been in excellent form, which is reflected in their position at the top of the standings, and a loss of a point here is a danger to their place on the table. Can they continue their best form? Previews, H2H, expert tips, and odds are provided below.

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KuPS fans will indeed be hoping for another impressive performance from their team, reminiscent of their 2-0 victory against VPS. The team's current position at the top of the league table with 28 points from 13 matches is a testament to their strong form.

In terms of goal-scoring, KuPS have been productive, having scored 17 goals while maintaining a solid defensive record of conceding only 5 goals in their matches so far. The team's remarkable run of 11 wins in their last 12 games highlights their consistency and determination to maintain their position at the top of the table.

Urho Nissila, a key midfielder for KuPS, will be eager to make an impact after being excluded from international duty during the recent break. With 5 goals and 1 assist to his name this season, Nissila possesses the ability to be a significant threat on the pitch.

KuPS will be looking to capitalize on their strong form and home advantage to secure another important victory against Mariehamn.

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Mariehamn's current form does not inspire much confidence, especially considering their three-game losing streak before the break. Sitting in 11th place in the league table with only 6 points, tied with the bottom team, VPS, they have struggled to find consistent success.

In terms of goal-scoring, Mariehamn have managed to find the back of the net 11 times but have also conceded a concerning 19 goals.

The absence of Aly Ndom, the team's French international forward, who is suspended for this match due to a red card in the previous game against SJK, will be a significant blow to their attacking options. Additionally, Mikko Sumusalo's red card against Honka further weakens their squad.

The team's current performance has increased the pressure on manager Norrmen Daniel, and his future with the team is reportedly uncertain. Delivering positive results and accumulating points will be crucial for him to maintain his position.

The continued absence of Jamie Hopcutt, who has missed five matches since being substituted in the first half of the game against HJK, further limits Mariehamn's attacking options and creativity.

With this, Mariehamn will face a challenging task against in-form KuPS, and they will need to address their defensive issues and find ways to compensate for the absence of key players if they are to have a chance of getting a positive result from the match.

The head-to-head record between KuPS and Mariehamn clearly favors KuPS, as they have won 17 out of the 25 previous meetings. Mariehamn have managed to win only 4 matches, while 4 matches have ended in a draw.

Additionally, the matches between these two teams tend to be low-scoring affairs. In the last 8 out of 9 matches, fewer than 3 goals have been scored. This suggests that the encounters between KuPS and Mariehamn have generally been tightly contested with a focus on defensive play.

Given KuPS's strong defensive record, with clean sheets in 10 of their last 12 matches, and their overall form, it is reasonable to expect them to perform well defensively in the upcoming match against Mariehamn. This could potentially result in a low-scoring affair.

Considering KuPS's current momentum and their previous success against Mariehamn, it is also plausible to anticipate a victory for KuPS in this match.

• BTTS-NO for 1.68 odds
• Under 2.5 for 1.94 odds
• HT:W1 for 1.70 odds