Ilves vs TPS Turku Prediction 27.05.2026 | Suomen Cup

After a somewhat uneven start to their 2026 domestic campaign, Ilves were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief over the weekend as they secured a crucial 2-0 clean-sheet victory over IF Gnistan in front of their own supporters.

That result came as a timely response to a disappointing 3-1 home defeat against Inter Turku just days earlier, easing the pressure on Joni Lehtonen, who stepped into the managerial hot seat this winter following the departure of Toni Rantanen to HJK Helsinki.

While Ilves’ inconsistent return of just two wins from their opening nine Veikkausliiga fixtures has left them lingering in the lower half of the standings, the Tampere-based side will be hoping to use their cup campaign as a source of renewed momentum, having already booked a place in the last 16 with a dominant 4-0 demolition of lower-league opposition Pallo-Iirot earlier this month.

Ilves will be forced into at least one change from the side that defeated Gnistan at the weekend, with defender Abdoul Goudouss Bamba suspended after being shown a straight red card in the 70th minute, meaning Tatu Miettunen is expected to step into the heart of defence.

TPS Turku make the trip to Tampere looking to steady the ship after unexpectedly choppy waters in recent weeks, having begun the campaign in excellent fashion as one of the league’s surprise packages, even stunning champions HJK Helsinki with a 1-0 victory earlier in May.

However, the Black and Whites’ early-season momentum has begun to stall, with back-to-back Veikkausliiga defeats halting their progress, the latest a painful 2-1 derby loss to local rivals FC Inter Turku, leaving them eager to respond quickly and regain stability.

Like their midweek opponents, Ivan Pinol’s side enjoyed a comfortable passage in the previous round of the Suomen Cup, brushing aside HJS with a 3-0 win, although a deeper run in the competition will demand greater consistency, especially given they were eliminated at the hands of Ilves in the 2022-23 season.

With a relatively clean bill of health, TPS are expected to field a near full-strength lineup as they prioritise a strong cup run, with in-form striker Theodoros Tsirigotis likely to lead the line once again.