Inter Turku vs KuPS 19/04/2024
The Veikkausliiga clash Inter Turku vs KuPS from round 3 is destined to be tense and competitive. The teams played such a dramatic game in the recent League Cup final. Can KuPS take revenge for the dramatically lost League Cup final? Will Inter Turku find a way to win for the first time in the league?
Inter Turku latest: Can they defend better?
Inter Turku and their new manager Vesa Vasara started 2024 very well. They lifted the first trophy on offer – the League Cup – after edging exactly KuPS in the final on penalties. This after the regular time ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, Inter came from behind twice.
Inter’s league form so far had been shaky though. They earned just 1 point from their first two games. The main issues seem to be in defence with five goals conceded in these two matches. Last time around drew 3-3 at home vs AC Oulu. Needed a late penalty from substitute Darren Smith to save this point.
Inter Turku team news
Coach Vasara, who took charge only after his ex-team Honka declared bankruptcy, is still unlikely to have his main goalie Eetu Huuhtanen available. This saw 17-year-old Eero Vuorjoki starting on goal and he had been shaky.
The other players who have injuries and might miss are Mikael Almen (important centre-back), Axel Kouame (useful attacking midfielder) and Djoully Nzoko (young and rarely used striker).
Inter Turku player to watch: Kevin Jansen
For the Inter Turku vs KuPS clash we pick the Dutch playmaker Jansen as the main player to watch from the hosts. Jansen arrived from Honka with the manager this winter. He produced his first assist in the last round. Will he become even more impactful going forward as everyone expects him to?
Inter Turku vs KuPS line-up
Vuorjoki(GK), Granlund, Hämäläinen, Osede, Legbo, Jansen, Krebs, Stavitski, Jarvinen, Smith, Botue
KuPS latest: Is revenge on the cards?
KuPS are still hurting after the lost League Cup final against Inter Turku a few weeks ago. They led twice in this match and should have won but somehow failed to do so.
KuPS made a solid start to the Veikkausliiga season though. They earned 4 points from their first two games, including a nice 3-1 home win vs defending champions HJK. Last weekend KuPS only drew 2-2 away against Mariehamn. Again, played well and probably should have won.
KuPS team news
KuPS currently have five players who nurse injuries. Among them is the hurt in the season-opener main goalie Johannes Kreidl. In Aatu Hakala very good second-choice is available though and this shouldn’t be an issue.
Seth Saarinen (the main right-back when fit), Jerry Voutilainen (a new player expected to become a key figure in midfield), Jaakko Oksanen (aggressive inner midfielder) and Pyry Lampinen (young striker used mainly off the bench) are the other four players that threaten to miss due to health issues.
KuPS player to watch: Axel Vidjeskog
Wide midfielder Vidjeskog is relied on to create chances. He had major contributions in both rounds so far – an assist in round 1 and a goal in round 2. Can Vidjeskog shine again? He scored one of the goals for KuPS in the recently lost League Cup final vs Inter Turku.
Inter Turku vs KuPS line-up
Hakala (GK), Cisse, Da Graca, Miettinen, Antwi, Vidjeskog, Ruopi, Pennanen, Savolinen, Luyeye-Lutumbam Ogunkoya
Inter Turku vs KuPS – head-to-head and other stats
- Inter Turku vs KuPS H2H – W24 D15 L26 – Both teams scored in 3 of the last 4 H2Hs.
- Inter Turku failed to keep a clean sheet in any of the last 11 H2Hs.
- KuPS are unbeaten in their last 4 league visits to Turku – W3 D1.