Derry City and KuPS set for low-scoring game in Conference League second qualifying round
Derry City vs KuPS Kuopio - 27/07/2023
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The Conference League kicks off its second qualifying round fixtures on Thursday night. In one of the biggest ties of the round, Ireland’s Derry City will host Finland’s KuPS in the tournament’s main path.
KuPS has been one of Finland’s regular representatives in European qualifying rounds in recent seasons.
The Canaries are playing in European competition qualification for the sixth straight campaign. They failed to reach the group stage in each of the previous five rounds.
The Canaries did reach the playoff round of the Europa League in 2020-21 and the Conference League in 2021-22.
Last season, KuPS were knocked out of the Conference League in the third qualifying round by Switzerland’s Young Boys.
Derry City finished second in the Irish Premier Division last season to qualify for the Conference League.
The team has never qualified for the Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League group stages.
The Red and White were knocked out of the 2022-23 Conference League in the first qualifying round.
This season, Derry City have already progressed further in the competition, winning in the first qualifying round 1-0 over Faroe Islands club HB Torshavn.
Both Derry City and KuPS are in the midst of their domestic campaigns. The Canaries are in a title fight with rivals SJK.
Manager Jani Honkavaara favours an attacking 4-3-3 formation. Top goalscorer Urho Nissila has six league goals.
KuPS did not play in the first qualifying round of the Conference League.
They are coming off a 1-1 draw against league rival FC Inter on July 17 in their most recent fixture. Midfielder Joona Veteli is a doubt for the game due to an injury.
Derry City are also fighting for the title in their respective league. City are currently four points behind first-place Shamrock Rovers.
Manager Ruaidhri Higgins watched the team win 3-0 against Athlone Town on July 23 in the FAI Cup. City are led in goals by Jordan McEneff, with six goals.
Derry City’s Colm Whelan is out of action with a cruciate knee ligament. Midfielder Ciaron Harkin is also out with a cruciate ligament injury. Higgins may use a 4-4-2 formation, providing two banks of four for KuPS to fight through.
Thursday’s Conference League second qualifying round first-leg match is high stakes for Derry City and KuPS.
The game should be a low-scoring affair, with neither side able to get many goals. Derry City and KuPS should draw 1-1 at full-time.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
ECL
274033
X
1 - 1
1.76
19°
3.20
2.30
3.20
2.88
no
no
no
2 - 1(0 - 1)
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