As the Veikkausliiga season nears its climax,IFK Mariehamn andAC Oulu prepare to clash on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Wiklöf Holding Arena in a match with direct relegation implications. Heading into the final stretch, IFK Mariehamn sits in 11th place with 23 points from 26 matches, just one point above the relegation playoff zone, while AC Oulu occupies 12th with 21 points and the worst defensive record in the league — having conceded 38 goals. Mariehamn’s form has been erratic, winning only two of their last ten matches, including a shocking 8-2 thrashing by HJK on August 24. Oulu, meanwhile, has shown flashes of offensive firepower — scoring in 11 of their last 12 games — but their defensive frailties have cost them dearly, with seven losses in their last eight matches. Both teams are on the brink, and this encounter is effectively a must-win for survival.

Historically, this fixture has been a high-octane affair. In their last five meetings, the teams have combined for 22 goals, withAC Oulu scoring in the first half in nine of the last ten encounters. The most recent meeting on May 17, 2025, ended 1-0 to Mariehamn in Oulu, a rare defensive performance from the Åland side that halted a five-match winless streak. However, Oulu has dominated possession and shots on target in most of these clashes, suggesting a tactical imbalance that Mariehamn’s low-block approach has barely contained. Key to this match will be the battle between Oulu’s pacey wingers and Mariehamn’s aging full-backs, particularly with veteran defender Eero-Matti Auvinen no longer in the squad. For Oulu, the absence of a consistent central defensive partnership remains a glaring weakness, and Mariehamn’s lone striker, Emmanuel Okereke, will look to exploit any gaps.

The psychological edge may lie with Mariehamn, who have shown resilience in high-stakes relegation battles in recent years — including escaping the playoff last season by defeating Oulu on the final matchday. However, with head coach Gary Williams likely to rotate after a 1-0 loss to Oulu on August 1, and with key midfielder Niilo Kujasalo suspended, the home side’s midfield control could be compromised. Oulu, under Mikko Isokangas, remains tactically disjointed, but their attacking trio of Korede Adedoyin, Emir El-Kathemi, and Emmanuel Patut has the quality to punish any complacency. Expect an open, chaotic game with both teams pushing forward —both teams to score is the most statistically supported outcome, with over 2.5 goals landing in six of Oulu’s last seven away games and in ten of the last eleven meetings between these sides. With relegation on the line, this isn’t just a match — it’s a survival duel.

Team	Best Odds
AC Oulu	+111 BetOnline.ag	+100	+111	+100	+105	+105	+110	+105	+105	+105	+111	+110	+108	+102
Draw	+270 BetMGM	+270	+255	+260	+260	+260	+240	+255	+255	+240	+255	+250	+264	+260
IFK Mariehamn	+238 Pinnacle	+225	+205	+215	+225	+235	+210	+230	+230	+230	+205	+228	+238	+215

AC Oulu @ IFK Mariehamn Odds

AC Oulu

IFK Mariehamn

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