Hearts vs Fiorentina prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-05 19:00.
Robbie Nielson will have been disappointed to see his Hearts side begin their first European adventure in six years with three consecutive defeats beginning in qualifying, yet they now have something to build on after their win over RFS in round two. In true Jekyll and Hyde fashion, Hearts followed that UEFA Europa Conference league (UECL) win with a 3-0 win and a 4-0 defeat in the Scottish Premiership.
Each of Heartsā last four games have now seen the away side on the day win without reply and via a multi-goal margin, a sequence that the Jambos will seek to end here. Having already matched the points haul from their only prior European group stage back in 2004/05, any positive result here in Heartsā first meeting with an Italian outfit since 1990/91 would create a little piece of club history.
Although Fiorentina enter this clash as red-hot favourites, they are propping up the group after a winless two-game start (D1, L1), both as pre-match favourites! Vincenzo Italianoās men followed up their latest defeat with a win and a loss in Serie A, a pair of results which left last seasonās seventh-placed finishers languishing in the bottom-half and in need of a confidence boost.
Fiorentina are the only Italian flag bearers currently competing in the UECL as they try to emulate inaugural winners Roma, and they can perhaps take stock from their solid H2H history against Scottish opponents (W2, D3, L1). However, their results when playing away in the āland of the braveā are mixed (W1, D1, L1) with the most recent such encounter ending goalless at Rangers.
Key battle: Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland has opened the scoring with five of his six goals this season, four of which came from the penalty spot including two in Europe. Trying to stop him will be Fiorentina defender Lucas MartĆnez Quarta, who is tragically their only scorer in over nine hours of competitive away play!
Hot stat: Fiorentina are unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 European away group games (W9, D3, L1).