Ilves Tampere — KuopioPS : Match Preview and Prediction for October 16,2025

Ilves Tampere’s Current Form and Struggles

Looking at the table, Ilves sits in second place, just one point behind the leader. On the surface, everything appears excellent. However, this is only at first glance. The team from Tampere has started to falter at the most critical juncture, right before the decisive battle for the championship. Their last two matches in the championship group have yielded no victories.Initially, they played to a 2-2 draw with HJK, followed by a 1-2 defeat to SJK. The most recent game is particularly telling. Ilves maintained 75% possession and registered 22 shots on goal, yet still managed to lose. This highlights significant issues with finishing and, potentially, psychological fragility during crucial moments.However, the biggest challenge stems from squad losses after the international break. Coach Joonas Rantanen explicitly stated that many players are returning just barely in time for the game. The injury list is also concerning: key attacking player Oiva Jukola, who even received a national team call-up, is sidelined due to injury. Vincent Ulundu also sustained an injury while with the youth national team. Furthermore, the participation of their primary goalkeeper Otso Virtanen is highly questionable. Adding to these woes, defender Andre Raymond, who played for Trinidad and Tobago, is unlikely to return and recover sufficiently. These are not merely problems; they are significant breaches across all lines of the team.

KuPS’s Resurgence and Strong Form

In stark contrast, KuPS approaches this match in a vastly different condition. Following a minor September slump, which included a cup final defeat and a loss to Ilves, the team has hit its stride. Their last three fixtures have resulted in three commanding victories with an aggregate score of 10-2. They have reclaimed the top spot in the table, and this turnaround is no accident.Their previous outing against Inter in Turku serves as a clear illustration of their current strength. A convincing 3-0 away win showcased total superiority in dangerous opportunities and shots on target (10 compared to the opponent’s 4). In terms of expected goals (xG), they outperformed their rivals by more than double: 2.04 versus 0.95. This is the definitive mark of a championship-calibre team that consistently knows how to secure results.The visitors’ attacking prowess is currently phenomenal. Guinean Mohamed Touré has netted ten goals in his last 12 league appearances. Meanwhile, Polish striker Piotr Parzyszek has scored in every championship group game, also finding the back of the net in a Conference League match. While KuPS faces a significant setback with their primary goalkeeper Johannes Kreidl suspended due to an accumulation of cards, their deep squad and extensive experience playing on two fronts, including European competitions, enable them to effectively manage such challenges.