- Vardar are on a 5-game winning streak in all competitions (W5, D0, L0).
- KuPS are on a 3-game winning streak in all competitions (W3, D0, L0).
- Vardar average 3.17 goals scored and 0.33 goals conceded per home game across all competitions (W6, D0, L0).
Champions face-off in Skopje
The 2026 UEFA Champions League qualification process begins in earnest on Tuesday when North Macedonia's 2023 champions, FK Vardar Skopje, take on KuPS Palloseura. This looks like a clash between structure and control, with the structure side, Vardar, having the sharper cutting edge.
Goce Sedloski has drilled his players into a compact, narrow, result-first unit, which can be deadly when they land the first punch. Vardar are a tough team to break down, but with pace on the counter, and good delivery from set-pieces, they are capable of putting away even the highest-quality opponents.
Miika Nuutinen has put his own stamp on KuPS, making them more of a possession-based, tempo side that attacks teams with an aggressive press. KuPS are more comfortable on the ball, but their policy to overload the full-backs and push forward could see them exploited behind the full-backs on counterattacks.
Vardar the sharper team
The visitors have been on a great run of form, but so have Vardar, who look the more likely winner in this European clash. Vardar are undefeated at home across all competitions this season (W6, D0, L0), averaging 3.17 goals scored and 0.33 conceded per game - a ruthless combination that should be able to ensure they make a statement in this first-leg clash.
KuPS have a strong record on the road, having gone undefeated across all competitions (W3, D2, L0), so they should have plenty of belief heading to the Todor Proeski Arena. However, Vardar are the red-hot favourite at 32/25, which looks too good to pass up, especially as the hosts have a 5-game winning streak in all competitions.
KuPS can make a mark
The clean sheet angle is still alive, with both teams not to score landing at 97/100, but the goals market makes more appeal at the moment with Over 2.5 coming in at 19/20.
KuPS have a 6-3-1 record in their last 10 games, while Vardar have an 8-1-1 record, although they have faced a different standard of opposition. However, wins over FC TPS Turku, Ilves Tampere and HJK Helsinki in their current 3-game run shows they are no walkovers.
This will be a competitive European affair, but I think Vardar's momentum will see them edge out a victory, while KuPS should find it tough to carve out many chances against a side that are incredibly stingy at the back.
