- Team form: FF Jaro have a home record of 3 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses.
- Recent form: Jaro are in slightly better form (W2, D1, L2) than VPS (W2, D0, L3) over the last five matches.
Derby day in Pietarsaaren
This derby affair at Pietarsaaren keskuskenttae, Finland, sees the visitors VPS Vaasan Palloseura enter as narrow favorites at 2.01, however we feel that Jaro can keep this one closer than that suggests. For one, the hosts are unbeaten in the last three meetings (W2, D1), which included a 0-0 draw when these two sides last played in Veikkausliiga 2026. And secondly, VPS are winless in their last two away games, which keeps the momentum in Jaro's favour for this clash.
Jens Karlsson's men beat SJK 2-1 at home eight days ago, but were then beaten 2-0 by FC Lahti, today's result and form swings tell the story of Jaro's season thus far – a real rollercoaster.
Two 4-2-3-1 systems face off
Form and standings
Jaro have a pretty decent home record in Veikkausliiga 2026 (W3, D4, L2), but that isn't dominant enough to see off VPS, who currently sit 5th in the table on 27 points from 17 matches, compared to Jaro's 15 from 18.
Styles and key players
Both sides will line up in a 4-2-3-1, but in differing styles. Karlsson's side are set up to be compact and structured, but not so much in possession as in being patient and waiting for fast vertical breaks.
Jussi Nuorela's VPS are more disciplined and will be much more patient, staying compact and organised in a block, and then looking to spring a fast counter from it.
- This is where their goal power will come from, as Herman Sjoegrell has 7 Veikkausliiga 2026 goals from 17 appearances, but four of those have come in the last five, scoring four of their six goals in that period.
- Luka Smyth has been the driving force for VPS this season with seven goals in 14 Veikkausliiga 2026 appearances, and although they have been off the rails in their two most recent away games, a loss to HJK Helsinki (2-1) and a 3-1 defeat to KuPS, VPS have their talisman in-form, and they have the quality to cause Jaro plenty of problems.
Jaro can hold out, but VPS will be the happier
Jaro have scored 13 goals in their nine home games in Veikkausliiga 2026, but they're a solid enough team at this level to nick one when they need it.
VPS have won two, drawn three and lost four of their nine away matches in Veikkausliiga 2026. Their output on the road is seven goals. VPS may be favorites, but Jaro's home advantage and much superior head-to-head record suggests that they can keep this derby close, so under goals looks the sharper play here.
