KuPS vs RFS Preview, Prediction, H2H & Lineups – Europa League Qualifiers 2025

Date: August 14, 2025
Kick-off: 17:00 CET
Competition: UEFA Europa League Qualifiers – Second Leg
Venue: Savon Sanomat Areena, Finland

KuPS will host RFS in the second leg of their Europa League qualifying tie. The Finnish side leads 2-1 from the first leg and will look to finish the job at home. But can RFS pull off a comeback and keep their European dream alive?

Match Preview

KuPS got off to a flying start in the first leg, scoring twice within the first 25 minutes. Although RFS pulled one back in the second half, KuPS held on for a big away win. Now back on home soil, KuPS are in a strong position to reach the next round.

The Finnish side are flying high in their domestic league, sitting second after 19 games with 37 points. They’ve won five home games in a row and look confident going into this match. KuPS were league champions last year and started this European campaign in the Champions League qualifiers before dropping to the Europa League.

RFS, on the other hand, are also in good form in their own league. They have 64 points from 26 matches and are close to the top of the Latvian table. In Europe, RFS began in the Champions League qualifiers, beating Levadia before losing heavily to Malmö (1-5). That result knocked them into the Europa League path, and now they face elimination again.

They’ll need a big performance away from home to turn things around in Finland.

Head-to-Head & Key Stats

• KuPS won the first leg 2-1

• KuPS are on a five-game home winning streak

• KuPS have won three straight matches

• RFS have 2 wins and 2 losses in their last 4 games

• RFS have conceded in each of their last 6 matches

• This is only the second-ever meeting between the two sides

Probable Lineups

KuPS:
Kreidl – Savolainen, Sisse, Miettinen, Arma – Oksanen, Arifi – Luyeye-Lutumba, Ruoppi, Pennanen – Toure

RFS:
Maric – Maraes, Lipucsek, Stuglis, Savalnieks – Rakic, Panic, Zelenkovs – Vauter, D. Ikaunieks, Didju

Prediction

This is shaping up to be a close and cautious second leg. KuPS have the edge with the home advantage and first-leg lead, but RFS won’t go down without a fight. Both sides are expected to play carefully, knowing one mistake could end their European hopes.

Prediction:
Total Goals: Under 3
Odds: 1.63