Kick-off: 2000, 07/06/2023
Stadium: Fortuna Arena
TV: BT Sport
Fiorentina and West Ham have been the stand-out teams throughout this season’s Europa Conference League and clash in the Prague final.
Both teams have looked strong going forward, scoring plenty of goals, but the Hammers may have the edge in defensive resilience.
For that reason, United get the nod to lift the trophy at 8/11 in our initial Fiorentina vs West Ham prediction.
Viola less convincing in last two rounds
Fiorentina won their first five matches in the knockout rounds in impressive fashion, beating Braga, Sivasspor and Lech Poznan by a combined score of 16-4.
However, they had to survive a scare when going 3-0 down to the Polish outfit on home turf before pulling a couple of goals back to advance 6-4 on aggregate.
In the semis, I Viola gave themselves a mountain to climb by losing 2-1 to Basel in Florence, despite leading at half-time.
Vincenzo Italiano’s team showed great spirit in Switzerland, though, with Nicolas Gonzalez scoring twice in normal time either side of an equaliser from Zeki Amdouni.
Fiorentina then booked a place in the decider via Czechia international Antonin Barak’s goal deep into stoppage time at the end of extra-time.
Barak told DAZN: “It is a great emotion, especially for me, as the final is in Prague.
“There was a lot of pressure but we deserved the victory. Now we must go all the way and take our chance to lift the trophy.”
Only Basel goalkeeper Marwin Hitz stopped Fiorentina from claiming a more convincing victory, but all three goals came from poorly defended crosses into the box, which West Ham are well equipped to deal with.
Looking at the Fiorentina vs West Ham odds, we like 3/1 for United to prevail in normal time and over 2.5 goals in the game.
Hammers out to extend Euro hot streak
West Ham made a statement of intent when winning all six of their group-stage fixtures and have maintained that momentum during the latter stages of the competition.
They crushed Larnaca 6-0 on aggregate and brushed aside Gent 5-2 thanks to a 4-1 triumph on home turf after drawing 1-1 in Belgium.
Semi-final opponents AZ Alkmaar put up a good fight in London, leading at half-time before going down 2-1.
The second leg in Holland was another close contest, but Pablo Fornals eventually settled the issue with a superb solo effort in stoppage time.
Midfielder Lucas Paqueta had earlier hit the post in the first half, while Alphonse Areola was rarely troubled at the other end.
The Hammers have struggled in the Premier League this season, but now have the chance to lift their first trophy in 43 years.
“It’s unbelievable really,” said Fornals. “I’m really happy for the club because it was a long time without them being in this situation.
“Of course, just to have the chance to play in the final is very good, but after this complicated season, if we can bring the cup to east London, it will be even better.”
Manager David Moyes added: “We’ve won 13 and drawn one in this competition (including two qualifying victories over Viborg) and now we have one more to go to see if we can win it.”
United face strong opponents in Prague but are playing with great belief in Europe and 17/2 for them to win 2-1 in normal time completes our Fiorentina vs West Ham betting tips.
Additional stats
Last result:
Basel 1-3 FIORENTINA (AET) – Nicolas Gonzalez (2), Antonin Barak
AZ Alkmaar 0-1 WEST HAM – Pablo Fornals
Head-to-head: N/A
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