Fiorentina vs Panathinaikos prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-03-12 20:00.
[p]After a five-goal thriller in Athens last week, spectators at the Stadio Artemio Franchi could also be in for an entertaining evening on Thursday as Fiorentina look to overturn a 3-2 first-leg defeat against Panathinaikos. With a place in the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals up for grabs, La Viola will need to put a stop to an alarming run of results which has seen them lose five of their last six games in all competitions (W1).[/p]
[p]A last-16 exit in the Conference League would certainly seem a little premature for Fiorentina, who finished as runners-up in the competition in both of the last two seasons. And in their favour is a strong home record which has seen them win three of their last four such matches in Serie A (L1), while in Europe, they have not lost any of their last 11 fixtures (W8, D3) as hosts.[/p]
[p]Although a draw would be sufficient to send Panathinaikos through, their away form is a worry, with no victories in their last seven games on the road across all competitions (D3, L4). They have also failed to keep a clean sheet in any of those matches, something which did not look to be on the horizon when they ended 2024 with three successive shutouts on their travels (W3).[/p]
[p]Rui Vitória’s side will not be short of confidence however, as their overall form is impressive, with just one defeat from their last six fixtures (W4, D1). In the Conference League alone, they have also lost only one of their last six (W5) and further improving both runs will set up a last-eight clash with either Celje or Lugano.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Robin Gosens assisted both of Fiorentina’s goals in Athens last week to take his tally to five goal contributions (G1, A4) in his last seven starts across all competitions. Karol Świderski opened the scoring in the first leg and has either found the net or provided an assist in each of his last three starts (G2, A1).[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Fiorentina have scored at least two second-half goals in all four of their Conference League home games this season.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Tom Penn[/i][/p]