Fiorentina vs Hearts Prediction & Tips
Last week’s huge 3-0 win in Scotland was Fiorentina’s first match in which it has scored three or more goals since its first match of the season in mid-August, and left the team second in Group A of the UEFA Conference League (UECL). A repeat win would allow Vincenzo Italiano’s side to advance in the competition, although the team has failed to win any of its last three European competition clashes at home (E1, P2).
The thrashing against Lazio last Monday must not have left Fiorentina very happy, as they have won only two of their last 12 official matches (E5, P5), and without even scoring in three of the last five. The ‘Viola’ fans are restless, and Italiano admitted he left in disgust after booing from the stands.
A heroic final 30 minutes against Kilmarnock last Sunday saved Hearts from losing three games in a row, finishing the match 2-2. It also halted a run of seven straight Hearts matches in which only one of the teams scored, including their three UECL matches (G1, P2), where the “Shamrock” are third, one point behind Fiorentina.
Another defeat for Hearts seems likely, given that the visitors have won only two of their last 11 European matches away from home (E6, P3), although one of those wins was a recent 2-0 victory over RFS. Although the last time the team managed to string together European wins away from home was in the 1988/89 season, where they also recorded their best continental season — they reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA Cup and were eliminated at the hands of Bayern Munich.
Players to watch: Christian Kouamé managed a goal and an assist last week in the clash between the two sides, in what was his first European game as a starter. Lawrence Shankland has scored six goals in competitive matches for Hearts this season, including a penalty to open the scoring in their only win in this UECL.
Key stat: Fiorentina have yet to concede a goal in the first half of their UECL matches this season.
Fiorentina – Hearts FREE TIPS
OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 2.25
