- 1 KuPS vs Sabah : Finland’s champions have no room for error
- 2 KuPS need a very different display
- 3 Sabah have every reason to feel good
- 4 Probable lineups :
- 5 Champions League prediction : KuPS vs Sabah
- 6 First, a word on our predictions
- 7 No commitment from us
- 8 Information can change
- 9 Your role
- 10 Responsible gambling first
- 11 Legal age
- 12 About the visuals
KuPS vs Sabah : Finland’s champions have no room for error 
Beaten 1-0 in Azerbaijan last week, KuPS are out of wiggle room. The Finns have to win in front of their own fans if they want to keep their Champions League run alive and reach the third qualifying round, which would be a first in the club’s history.
Sabah head to Finland with a narrow lead and plenty of confidence. Azerbaijani champions for the first time in their history, they are riding a three-game winning streak in all competitions and have been travelling well for months.
KuPS need a very different display 
The first leg did not go KuPS’ way. They were second best for long spells, managed just one shot on target in 90 minutes and spent most of the night under pressure. Johannes Kreidl kept them in it several times before finally being beaten just before the break.
The response in league action at the weekend was at least encouraging. KuPS were quickly in control against VPS thanks to Moreno, Engvall and Luyeye-Lutumba, a reminder that the attack still has something to offer when it is given a bit more freedom.
The crowd at Vare Areena will be expecting a far more aggressive start. KuPS need more bite in the early duels and a higher press than they managed in the first leg if they are to turn this tie around.
Sabah have every reason to feel good 
That home win underlined the progress made by the Azerbaijani champions. Sabah controlled large parts of the game, carved out plenty of chances and could easily have taken a healthier lead into this trip.
Veljko Simic is still the key man. His work between the lines and his knack for delivering in big moments give this side a proper attacking outlet, while Mickels and Parris add plenty of pace in transition.
The visitors can also lean on a pretty reassuring stat. They have not lost a competitive away game in 20 matches and arrive with enough know-how to manage a first-leg lead.
Probable lineups :
KuPS : Kreidl; Puukko, Magassa, Adams, Antwi; Gasc, Pennanen, Jyry; Engvall, Armah, Moreno.
Sabah : Pokatilov; Zedadka, Solvet, Dashdamirov, Puchacz; Lepinjica, Rahmonaliev; Parris, Isayev, Simic; Mickels.
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Champions League prediction : KuPS vs Sabah
KuPS or draw (90 minutes)
The first-leg scoreline forces KuPS to take more risks, but the Finns have already shown in the previous round that they can respond after a rough opening game. At home, they should look a lot more assertive than they did in Azerbaijan.
Sabah are in excellent form and have real away resilience. Their main aim will be to protect what they have rather than go chasing more goals, which could make this a tighter contest than the one we saw last week.
Qualification is still wide open, but KuPS look good enough to avoid another defeat on home soil. Between the need to respond, the squad rotation in league play and the backing of their own stadium, Finland’s champions have enough going for them to at least force a draw in normal time.
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