Sabasports Match Preview
UEFA Champions League: KuPS Kuopio vs Sabah FK
Kickoff Time: 2026-07-28 23:00 (HKT)
KuPS Kuopio is a traditional powerhouse in the Veikkausliiga and claimed back-to-back league titles. The side has maintained an impressive run this campaign, sitting atop the Veikkausliiga standings and on course to seal a third consecutive championship. Following the opening of the summer transfer window, KuPS Kuopio strengthened their squad by signing midfielder Tommi Jyry, who featured in the Romanian top flight last term. Since his arrival, Tommi Jyry has quickly adapted to the team’s tactics. He has registered assists in domestic league matches and started all three of the club’s previous Champions League qualifying fixtures. With the team’s top two goalscorers from last season departing one after another, KuPS Kuopio have needed to rebuild their attacking line-up for the new campaign. Fortunately, Nicaraguan international striker Jaime Moreno has stepped up in the final third, notching 10 goals and 3 assists in the league to emerge as a strong contender for the Veikkausliiga Golden Boot. Winger Bob Nii Armah is another dangerous threat, having found the net in both matches of the first round of Champions League qualifying.
Sabah FK were the champions of the Azerbaijan Premier League last season. They secured passage through the first qualifying round by completing a double over Welsh giants The New Saints. When the summer transfer window opened, only central defender Ygor Nogueira left the first-team squad; he made 22 starts and scored twice last season. As for reinforcements, the club signed a total of eight players. Most crucially, they completed permanent transfers for left midfielder Tymoteusz Puchacz, who provided 11 assists last season, and winger Veljko Simic, who registered 11 goals and 8 assists. This means Sabah FK have retained their attacking partnership from last term, avoiding lengthy tactical adjustments early in the season. Both players have carried their fine form into the new campaign. In the preceding Champions League qualifying matches, Puchacz recorded two assists, while Simic bagged two goals and one assist. Simic was the match-winner who scored the decisive goal against KuPS Kuopio in the first leg.
In terms of total first-team squad market value, Sabah FK are valued at €17 million compared to KuPS Kuopio’s €7.3 million — a gap of roughly 2.3 times. Statistics from the first leg show Sabah FK held 64% possession and unleashed 24 shots, 11 of which were on target, while KuPS Kuopio managed only seven attempts. Were it not for a heroic display from KuPS Kuopio goalkeeper Johannes Kreidl, the Finnish outfit could have suffered a heavy defeat. There is a notable gulf in quality between the two sides, and Sabah FK are expected to seize the opportunity to claim victory in this encounter.
KuPS Kuopio’s Last 5 Games: LLWLL
26-07-25 KuPS Kuopio 3-1 VPS
26-07-22 Sabah FK 1-0 KuPS Kuopio
26-07-18 SJK-J 0-2 KuPS Kuopio
26-07-14 KuPS Kuopio 0-2 Vardar (AET 2-1)
26-07-08 Vardar 0-2 KuPS Kuopio
Sabah FK’s Last 5 Games: WWWLL
26-07-22 Sabah FK 1-0 KuPS Kuopio
26-07-15 The New Saints 1-2 Sabah FK
26-07-08 Sabah FK 2-0 The New Saints
25-08-15 Sabah FK 0-2 Levski Sofia
25-08-08 Levski Sofia 1-0 Sabah FK
Head-to-Head
26-07-22 Sabah FK 1-0 KuPS Kuopio
Prediction: Sabah FK away win