12th-placed KTP are guaranteed to finish in the bottom two of the 2025 Veikkausliiga, after their 2-1 loss to Jaro this weekend followed AC Oulu's victory over Haka in a relegation six-pointer.
Those results leave KTP 10 points behind 10th-placed Oulu with only three Relegation Group matches to play. The only way for the Kotka side to avoid relegation will be to overtake Haka and win the Veikkausliiga Playoff against the second-best side in the Ykkosliiga.
An ongoing seven-match losing run makes a late surge in form look unlikely. Plus, Haka are three points ahead with a much better goal difference, thus a minimum of four points is likely to be needed.
The seventh of those losses came at home to Jaro, who were 2-0 up inside 32 minutes thanks to strikes from Severi Kahkonen and the ever-reliable Kerfala Cissoko.
Assan Seck pulled one back on the stroke of half-time, but the home side were not able to build on that lifeline in the second half, and Jaro held on for the win which moves them 11 points clear of Haka, and thus confirms their Veikkausliiga survival.
KTP will need to take inspiration from AC Oulu, who had been their neighbours in the bottom two for so long, but have moved seven points clear thanks to a three-match winning run when it mattered most.
The latest of which, away at Haka - the team who replaced them in the relegation zone - was by far the most crucial.
The only goal arrived 10 minutes after half-time, when Tuomas Kaukua's low cross from the right was turned in at the far post by Niklas Jokelainen.
Having taken two points from their last 11 games, the chances of Haka taking an absolute minimum of seven points to make it out of the bottom two look bleak. To make matters worse, in-form Oulu will meet KTP next weekend, needing only a point to seal Haka's fate.
On Sunday, Antti-Ville Raisanen put VPS a goal up at Mariehamn before the home side turned things around through Korede Adedoyin and Jiri Nissinen to win 2-1.
Results earlier in the weekend had made the match fairly inconsequential from a VPS perspective, as Oulu's win had already secured their survival and they remain top of the Relegation Group on goal difference ahead of Jaro.
The first win in four matches for Mariehamn eases much of the pressure they were feeling, as it keeps them above Oulu and sees their lead over the bottom two extend to eight points.
With the Suomen Cup Final taking place on Saturday, Championship Group fixtures were not held this weekend and will instead return on Tuesday evening.
Follow the title and relegation battles in the Veikkausliiga on Flashscore.
