Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
With a spot in the final of this season’s Europa Conference League up for grabs on Wednesday evening, Fiorentina will make the trip to Club Brugge for their second-leg battle.
Club Brugge
Starting with the hosts, while Club Brugge might have eventually fallen to an action-packed 3-2 loss over in Tuscany last week, the Belgium giants should be fancying their chances of completing a famous turnaround here. Making an immediate return to winning ways over the weekend and picking up some perfect momentum as they clinched a 2-1 victory away at Antwerp, Nicky Hayen’s men are also leading the chase to reclaim their domestic crown over the next few weeks. Riding what has been an extended wave of momentum, Club Brugge have won eight of their previous nine appearances across all competitions. Likewise, Wednesday’s hosts will also be excited by their remarkable success at the Jan Breydel Stadium. Last seen in front of their own supporters storming their way to a 4-0 victory against Genk, Hayen’s side have won all of their last six consecutive showdowns in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score of 17-2.
Team News
Dealing with a string of injury issues this season and not making a single appearance across any competition since the start of February, one-time Manchester City defender Dedryck Boyata remains on the sidelines and will not feature here. Aside from the Belgium international, Club Brugge have reported a clean bill of health.
However, shown a second-half red card in first-leg action last week, former Midtjylland midfielder Raphael Onyedika will serve a one-match suspension here. Finding the net over in Tuscany and notching a seventh Europa Conference League strike of the season, 22-year-old starlet Igor Thiago will lead Hayen’s charge on Wednesday evening.
Fiorentina
As for the visitors, suffering Europa Conference League heartbreak last season as they suffered a 2-1 loss against West Ham, the Viola are desperate to go one-step further this time around. However, although Vincenzo Italiano’s men might have claimed a crucial first-leg advantage in Tuscany last week, the Italian outfit have largely struggled with their consistency this year. Crashing back down to earth over the weekend as they were hit with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Verona, the former Sepzia boss will be more than aware that his squad faces another stern challenge here. Winning just a trio of their previous nine appearances within 90 minutes, Fiorentina have also continued to show some extended issues on their travels this season. Including a 4-1 drumming against Atalanta on April 24th, Italiano’s side have recorded just a pair of wins away from the Stadio Artemio Franchi since opening 2024.
Team News
Suffering a suspected broken collarbone against Club Brugge last week, Riccardo Sottil is not expected to make a return on Wednesday evening. Handed a full rest against Verona over the weekend, Brazil international Dodo will certainly be handed an immediate recall at the heart of Fiorentina’s defence.
Although Italy international Andrea Belotti might have notched just a pair of goals across all competitions since completing a January loan switch from Roma, the 30-year-old should spearhead the Viola’s attack. Veteran shot-stopper Pietro Terracciano will return between the sticks in Belgium.
Key Factors to Consider
When Club Brugge and Fiorentina met for their first-leg showdown last week, the Viola picked up an action-packed 3-2 victory on home soil.
Wednesday’s guests have collected just a pair of away victories since opening the New Year.
Club Brugge have won all of their previous six consecutive showdowns in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score of 17-2.
Attracting reported Premier League interest, Igor Thiago has scored three goals in his previous four appearances.
All of Fiorentina last four appearances across all formats have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
With Club Brugge and Fiorentina playing out a five-goal thriller when they met in Tuscany last week, neutrals will be hoping for a similar outcome here. With a spot in the final of this season’s Europa Conference League firmly hanging in the balance, we could be treated to another action-packed affair on Wednesday night. It should be noted, with the Viola seeing each of their previous four appearances across all competitions finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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