- Team form: Ilves Tampere are unbeaten at home this season in all competitions, having won 3 and drawn 1 of 4 matches.
- Away form: Stjarnan have won 1, drawn 2 and lost 3 of their last 6 away games in all competitions.
Ilves and Stjarnan should provide goals
Match context
This is the second leg of a UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 clash that saw Stjarnan take a 1-0 lead against Ilves Tampere last Thursday. The Finns are favored at 1.84 this week, which seems a little rich given that the visitors are 4.14 to win, and the draw is listed at 3.8.
Tactical battle
A Stjarnan win here would be a surprise, but there is enough to suggest the hosts can nick it and at least keep the game close enough that their one-goal deficit isn't decisive. This is a tactical clash between Ilves' more controlled, possession-based style under Camilo Speranza, who has brought a more structured way to Tampere since taking charge on 6 July 2026, and Stjarnan's more direct style that Joekull Elisabetarson has been building since 2023.
Ilves want to control the tempo and circulation through midfield, while Stjarnan will look to create chaos and pin Ilves back with direct balls, aerial dueling and scrapping for second balls. This could lead to an open game if Stjarnan's pressure is sustained but it also offers Ilves a chance to counter into space behind the away team.
Hytoenen and Kanga to make an impact
Ilves have a few players who can make a difference in the attacking third but Jardell Kanga is arguably the creative spark.
Both teams have hit form a bit erratically since the last round with Ilves winning 2 of 5, drawing 1 and losing 2. Stjarnan have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1, but the 5-0 away defeat to KR Reykjavik last time out suggests they can be breached on the road.
- The Finnish international has 1 goal in his 3 appearances in UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 and 3 assists in his last 5 appearances in all competitions, which saw Ilves win 2, draw 1 and lose 2.
- They've certainly been busy up front with Teemu Hytoenen also hitting 3 goals in that same 5-match spell as Ilves scored 7 times.
- Stjarnan's main finisher is Emil Atlason, who is worth consideration with 3 in 3 UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 games and 3 in 5 in all competitions.
Goals on the cards at Tammela Stadion
The goal lines are close with Over 2.5 at 1.82 and Under 2.5 at 1.9, but we'd just prefer the slight odds on Both Teams to Score at 1.75 in this clash. Ilves are solid enough at home to see through this tie but Stjarnan are good enough to punish the hosts at some stage, which should be reflected in a few goals on Thursday.
Across their last 10 matches, Ilves are 4-2-4 and Stjarnan 4-3-3, suggesting this should be a very close match.
