Ilves II vs EPS - Kakkonen - Lohko B

There is a notable edge to this Kakkonen - Lohko B fixture. When Ilves II meet EPS at the home ground on July 5, 2026, both will sense an opportunity to land a telling blow. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Ahead of the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play-off tie against Czech side Jablonec at Ibrox on Thursday, McInnes said: "I said that when I spoke to Lawrence.

Both Ilves II and EPS will be eager to build momentum when they meet in Kakkonen - Lohko B. It has been a solid if unspectacular run for the hosts — WWWLL across their last five with a win rate of 44.44% — and they will want to push on from here. The visitors have been picking up results steadily, LDLWW over their last five with a campaign win rate of 55.56%. Where Ilves II have leaned on defensive discipline, EPS have often taken the initiative going forward, and that stylistic difference should shape the contest. Their 3-0 win over Nice takes them up to second spot in the fledgling Ligue 1 table.

Tactically, the contest promises a fascinating contrast. Ilves II will look to impose their style on home soil, while EPS are likely to have ideas of their own about how to gain the upper hand. And there are still question marks even in attack, where they have an abundance of supporting forwards including Mbeumo, Cunha and Amad Diallo, but only one out-and-out striker in Sesko.

In fixtures as finely poised as this one, it often comes down to who holds their nerve in the big moments — and both camps have players who relish that responsibility. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. Several forward have also been under consideration but any potential arrival is linked to Marcus Rashford's future, which looks set to be in Manchester.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 3-3 draw feels like a fitting result. With positions in the Kakkonen - Lohko B table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. The club are understood to favour a profile closer to Aurelien Tchouameni or a Premier League‑proven alternative rather than Manu Kone.