- Ilves Tampere are unbeaten at home in all competitions (W3, D1, L0) and have conceded an average of just 0.75 goals per game on their own patch in this Conference League campaign.
- Stjarnan's away record across all competitions is patchy (W1, D2, L3) and they've conceded an average of 2.5 goals per away game in this campaign.
Ilves need to push for home advantage
Ilves will be delighted that they return to Tammela Stadion with an opportunity to make up the ground lost in a 1-0 defeat to Stjarnan in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 tie. Home advantage will be key for the hosts, who remain unbeaten across all competitions at this venue with three wins and a draw from their four matches and have only conceded three goals on their own turf in this season's Conference League setup. Ilves have been in mixed form across all competitions this season (4-2-4 across last 10 matches), winning 3-1 against FC Differdange 03 and 3-1 at FC TPS Turku in the UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 and Veikkausliiga 2026 respectively. Since taking charge of Ilves on 6th July, Camilo Speranza has brought a more structure and passing style to the side, with Ilves looking to control possession and build-up from the midfield. Stjarnan are a direct team, with Joekull Elisabetarson's men relying on wingers and direct balls since he took charge in 2023. The hosts' build-up and passing game should suit the visitors' gameplan, as they look to overpress and create chaos. However, this could also give Ilves the chance to hit them on the counter-attack.
An even match in the making
The odds tell a different story, with Ilves are the favourites at 21/25 with Stjarnan a 157/50 dark horse and the draw at a hefty 14/5. The head-to-head record tells us that Stjarnan have the advantage after edging Ilves in this competition earlier this year, but the draw will suffice for the visitors if they can keep it close.
We're going to take the game odds for this fixture as it looks like a real game of cat and mouse, with an edge for the home side who should be able to edge it. Over 2.5 and Under 2.5 goals look evenly matched (Over 2.5 at 41/50 and Under 2.5 at 9/10), so we're just edging the action on Both Teams To Score at 3/4.
Goalscorers
Jardell Kanga has been the creative spark for Ilves this campaign, with a goal in his three UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 games, but also three assists in Ilves' last five. Teemu Hytoenen has also been busy, with three goals in his last five in all competitions, which includes three Ilves goals in that five-game spell.
Emil Atlason is the man in form for Stjarnan, with him netting three times in three games in the UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 campaign. He's continued his form, with a further three in Stjarnan's last five.
