Sabasports Match Preview
Veikkausliiga：IFK Mariehamn vs AC Oulu
Kickoff Time: 2025-07-26 21:00 (HKT)
Source: REUTERS/Molly Darlington
IFK Mariehamn is well-known in the Finnish Veikkausliiga and has won the Finnish Suomen Cup in 2015 and the Finnish Veikkausliiga title in 2016. However, the team is no longer as strong as before. Last season, they nearly got relegated, and this season they are just a mid-table team. One big feature of Mariehamn is its island-based home ground. The city where the team is based is located on the Aland Islands, which is the capital of the islands. It’s similar to teams like Mallorca, Las Palmas, or Cagliari in Italy. Island teams often have strong local fan support due to their geographic conditions, which can boost the home atmosphere and performance. This season, Mariehamn has already defeated the league leaders, Ilves, and the third-placed KuPS. Teams traveling to this location must go through a long journey involving planes, ferries, and cars, which can greatly affect the players’ preparation. In terms of playing style, Mariehamn often uses a 4-3-3 formation, relying on the pace of top scorer Muhamed Tehe Olawale, the wide runs of Korede Adedoyin, and the midfield organization of Anttoni Huttunen. With the key player Hugo Cardoso, who wears the number 10 shirt, returning from injury in the last match, the team can field its strongest attacking line. Additionally, the new artificial turf was officially used in the last match, and after more than 10 days of training, the players have adapted to its bounce and friction.
AC Oulu was the champion of the Finnish Ykkosliiga in the 2020 season, but due to financial constraints, they haven’t made any big signings in recent years and have barely managed to stay in the top flight. This season, their performance has been poor, and they currently lead the bottom team FC KTP by just one point, facing heavy pressure to avoid relegation. After the summer transfer window opened, the team is facing a personnel crisis. This match will be the farewell game for two central defenders, Miika Koskela and Leon Bergsman. The former has started 14 matches this season, while the latter has started 12, and both are key defensive figures. With transfers approaching, their motivation for this game is questionable, as an injury could affect their future prospects. In the last match, the winger Otto Kemppainen, who had just returned from injury, was substituted off after only 16 minutes due to another injury. Additionally, the main midfielder Abu Dumbuya has already moved to another club, leaving the team with weakened attacking and defensive strength. Looking at recent matches, Oulu’s main problem is that most of their starting players are young rookies with limited experience and poor teamwork. Since most teams in the Veikkausliiga play an attacking style, Oulu tends to let opponents control possession because their players aren’t aggressive enough in pressing. As a result, Oulu has conceded a lot of goals. This season, they have already conceded 35 goals, averaging 2.19 per game.
If Oulu can intercept Mariehamn‘s passing lines in midfield, they can limit the home team’s wide attacks. Otherwise, Mariehamn can use long passes to target their strikers and create danger. However, Oulu’s lack of creativity in midfield remains a big problem — in other words, their counterattacks are not effective. Facing an Oulu side that is tired from the long trip, short-staffed, disorganized, and tactically flawed, it’s expected that Mariehamn won’t miss the chance to take points from home.
IFK Mariehamn‘s Last 5 Games: DDDLW
25-07-21 IFK Mariehamn 1-1 FC Haka J
25-07-06 FF Jaro 1-1 IFK Mariehamn
25-07-02 FC Inter Turku 0-0 IFK Mariehamn
25-06-28 SJK-J 4-1 IFK Mariehamn
25-06-18 IFK Mariehamn 1-0 KuPS
AC Oulu’s Last 5 Games: LWDWW
25-07-20 HJK Helsinki 3-1 AC Oulu
25-07-13 AC Oulu 3-2 FC KTP
25-07-04 AC Oulu 2-2 KuPS
25-06-29 AC Oulu 2-1 VPS
25-06-24 AC Oulu 2-0 SJK
Head-To-Head Record
25-05-17 AC Oulu 0-1 IFK Mariehamn
24-10-19 AC Oulu 1-2 IFK Mariehamn
24-09-01 IFK Mariehamn 2-1 AC Oulu
24-05-17 AC Oulu 1-1 IFK Mariehamn
23-09-16 AC Oulu 3-2 IFK Mariehamn
Prediction: IFK Mariehamn to win or Draw