The Veikkausliiga is wide open and KuPS could run through the gate this weekend and into first place.
The Canaries are third in the league and just two points off of league leaders Ilves. A win and results elsewhere could send KuPS to the summit of the Veikkausliiga after 16 games. Ilves do have a game in hand over KuPS.
Opponents Mariehamn are seventh but just seven points off of the top of the league. The competition in the Veikkausliiga means teams down the table are not necessarily out of the title picture.
If Mariehamn can catch fire with good form, they could challenge the top teams in the second half of the season. They need to pick up all three points against KuPS to have any hope of doing that, however.
The Canaries have surprisingly been poor at home this season. They have managed 11 points from 21 possible posting a +3-goal difference. They have won three of their last four matches at home, so their form is improving at the Savon Sanomat Areena.
KuPS are top of the Veikkausliiga form table posting 13 points from their last 18 possible. Five of their last six matches have ended in a positive result. Four of those were victories,
Not to be outdone, Mariehamn have strung together a decent away record in recent weeks. Mariehamn are unbeaten in their last five away fixtures with three ending in victories.
Mariehamn have collected 10 points from their last 18 in the Veikkausliiga. They could give KuPS a run for their money on Sunday at the Savon Sanomat Areena.
KuPS have dominated their last six fixtures against Mariehamn. The Canaries have won five times while losing just once. The two sides have found the back of the net frequently against one another.
All six matches saw over 2.5 goals scored and both teams scored. Matches between KuPS and Mariehamn average 4.0 goals per game.
KuPS striker Rangel leads the Canaries in goals with eight. It is the second highest figure in the Veikkausliiga this season.
Mariehamn’s Aristote Mboma and Keaton Isaksson have combined for 12 goals. They have tallied over half of Mariehamn’s goals this term.
The two clubs have played previously this season with KuPS winning 4-3 away. Isaksson and Mboma got on the score sheet for Mariehamn while Rangel tallied a goal for KuPS in a wild match that saw a penalty and an own goal.
Sunday’s fixture will once again see KuPS gain a victory over Mariehamn. As per usual, the two sides will combine for over 2.5 goals scored.