On Monday, KuPS secured the Veikkausliiga title after their last remaining challenger, Ilves, drew at home against SJK. However, the championship celebrations were muted, as two more matches still lie ahead this week. In this game, significant prize money is at stake: UEFA awards €400,000 for a win and €133,000 for a draw in the Conference League group stage. These sums are substantial for Veikkausliiga clubs, so KuPS’s motivation should be high. In their most recent Conference League matches, KuPS drew 0–0 away against Icelandic Breidablik and 1–1 at “home” in Tammela against Kosovo’s Drita.
Now the challenge is considerably tougher, as Slovan Bratislava played in the Champions League as recently as last season. The Slovak side has started the Conference League with two defeats, but their opponents (Strasbourg and AZ Alkmaar) have been considerably stronger than KuPS. The squad features notable players such as Georgian national team stalwart center-back Guram Kashia and Slovenian forward Andraz Sporar, who has played at the top level. The team is coached by the experienced Vladimir Weiss, whose father, also Vladimir Weiss, won an Olympic silver medal for Czechoslovakia, and whose son, Vladimir Weiss, once played in the Premier League and is now the team’s captain.
Betting outlook: Slovan Bratislava is unlikely to come to Tampere just for a sightseeing trip; they will want to reverse their fortunes and compete for a spot in the Conference League knockout stages. The quality gap between the teams is significant, and even though KuPS has the home advantage and familiarity with the pitch, Slovan will enter the match as the clear favorites.
