Fiorentina vs Braga prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-02-22 20:00.
Fiorentina made a resounding statement in the first leg of this UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) knockout playoff round tie, strolling to a 4-0 demolition of Braga that marked their fifth straight victory in the competition. Aside from practically guaranteeing progress to the Round of 16, the result also gives coach Vincenzo Italiano an excuse to rest his main aces if he wants – such as Luka Jović, who tops the UECL scoring charts after his first-leg brace.
Even with the ongoing distraction of avoiding a Serie A relegation battle and after only managing a 1-1 weekend draw vs Empoli, Fiorentina are fancied to extend an unbeaten UECL home record (W3, D1). Yet, the lack of clean sheets in that return might mean a full-strength defence, just to completely rule out any threat of a comeback while providing the Viola with an ideal platform to chase their first major continental honours since the 1960/61 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.
Later in 1961, Braga’s fellow Portuguese club Leixões famously became the first side ever to completely overturn a four-goal aggregate deficit in any UEFA competition (W 7-6 agg. vs La Chaux-de-Fonds). Braga must aim to emulate this feat to progress, and they know that simply going for broke is the only chance they will have of achieving what currently seems like mission impossible.
But this might not be Minhotos’ highest priority, as Braga are still within just two points of the Primeira Liga’s second automatic UEFA Champions League group stage qualification spot, after Sunday’s 2-0 win vs Arouca. That only further adds to the ‘free hit’ feel of this clash, the eve of which interestingly marks the 16th anniversary of Braga’s only previous away win vs Italian opposition (1-0 vs Parma, UEFA Cup).
Players to watch: As well as rescuing a point at the weekend, Fiorentina’s Arthur Cabral also netted a brace in the first leg, with all three goals arriving inside the closing 20 minutes. As for the visitors, Simon Banza scored against Arouca on Sunday and sparked a comeback win in Braga’s last away game (W 2-1 vs Maritimo), making it just one defeat (W18, D4) in goalscoring appearances since the start of 2021/22.
Hot streak: None of Fiorentina’s last ten home games have separated the sides by a margin of 2+ goals.