Finnish club KuPS host Macedonian side FK Vardar Skopje at the Vare Areena in Kuopio in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round on Tuesday. KuPS won the first leg 2-0 in Skopje, and return home with a valuable lead in the tie.
Goals from Brahima Magassa and Bob Nii Armah ensured the victory for the Finnish side at Tose Proeski Arena last Tuesday, with midfielder Nemanja Bosancic receiving a red card in the 76th minute to leave his side in 10 men for the last 15 minutes of the first leg.
KuPS are currently top of the Veikkausliiga, tied with Inter Turku on 30 points from 15 games. Their priority this week will be to secure their passage to the next qualifying round of the Champions League with a positive result against Vardar in the second leg.
The Yellow-Blacks have the advantage from the first leg, and will be playing at home, so they will be favored to progress.
Meanwhile, Vardar Skopje finished the 2025-26 1. MFL season as champions with 83 points from 33 games, nine points ahead of second-placed Shkendija.
The title earned them a place in these European qualifiers, but their progress to the next round looks unlikely following their loss at home in the first leg.
They are in preseason mode at the moment, with their most recent fixture being a friendly match against Virtus on 30 June, which Vardar won 3-2.
The Red-Blacks will be without the suspended Bosancic due to his sending off in the first leg.
As this is the first qualifying round, the winner over the two legs will advance to the next qualifying round, while the team that loses will drop into the second round of the UEFA Conference League qualifying path.
KuPS coach Miika Nuutinen is expected to set up a disciplined defensive structure to protect their two-goal lead, while looking to hit Vardar on the break. FK Vardar will need to be aggressive, as they have nothing to gain from sitting back, but if coach Cristian Fabbiani's side leave too many gaps in their defense, KuPS could take advantage on the counterattack.
With KuPS already ahead from the first leg and playing at home this week, we expect another win for the Finnish side.
Prediction: KuPS 2-0 FK Vardar Skopje
Tip 1: KuPS to win
Tip 2: KuPS to keep a clean sheet
Tip 3: KuPS to be winning at halftime
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