KuPS were held to a 1–1 home draw against Gnistan on Thursday and were not at their best in terms of performance. Head coach Jarkko Wiss fielded virtually the same starting eleven as in Monday’s match against SJK. Perhaps the players’ mental and physical levels hadn’t fully recovered. The recovery time before this game is again short, and the stakes keep getting higher. A bit of rotation might do them good, but is Wiss willing to take that risk, knowing that a defeat would hand control of the title race to others? The return of Saku Savolainen and Agon Sadiku from suspension at least gives Wiss a few more options compared to the Gnistan match.
FC Inter, too, are showing signs of fatigue after a demanding run of fixtures. On Thursday, hosting SJK, the Turku side had to play most of the match a man down after Jean Botue’s foolish red card. The game ended in a 2–2 draw, keeping the gap to KuPS at three points. The tank is running low, but the title remains in their own hands. A win here would lift Vesa Vasara’s men above KuPS on goal difference, so the visitors will surely approach this match with an all-in mentality. On the final matchday, Inter will host Ilves, meaning that victory here would keep the championship destiny entirely in their own hands.
Betting outlook: If KuPS win, Inter’s title hopes are over. A draw would hand the initiative to Ilves, who face SJK on Monday. With so much at stake, this promises to be a fierce battle between two weary sides. KuPS are the slightly stronger team overall and the home advantage makes them favourites. KuPS won the previous meeting between these teams 3–0 in Turku in early October, but a tighter, lower-scoring game wouldn’t be a surprise this time
