As the group stage of the UEFA Conference League approaches its conclusion, Vitoria de Guimaraes will host Fiorentina at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques on Thursday night. This matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams vying for crucial points that could determine their progression to the knockout rounds.
Vitoria de Guimaraes currently sit in second place in their group, needing just one point to secure a spot in the last 16. Meanwhile, Fiorentina trail closely behind in third place and can guarantee their advancement with a victory. The stakes are high for both sides, making this clash critical as they aim to solidify their positions in the tournament.
Vitoria have enjoyed an impressive run in the Conference League, remaining undefeated throughout the group stage with an average of over two goals per game. Their recent performance against St. Gallen, where they recorded a commanding 4-1 victory, showcased their attacking prowess and ability to dominate matches. With 30 shots on target in that game alone, Vitoria has established itself as one of the most entertaining teams in the competition.
Under the guidance of head coach Rui Borges, Vitoria have also faced challenges in the Primeira Liga, where they currently sit sixth after a disappointing draw against Rio Ave. Despite their struggles domestically, their European form remains stellar, and they will look to carry that momentum into this crucial fixture.
Fiorentina enter this match following a mixed bag of results. Their impressive eight-match winning streak in Serie A was halted by a narrow defeat to Bologna, but they bounced back with a resounding 7-0 victory over LASK in the Conference League. This performance not only boosted their confidence but also showcased their attacking depth, with players like Riccardo Sottil and Albert Gudmundsson stepping up to deliver key contributions.
Despite recent setbacks, including an early exit from the Coppa Italia against Empoli, Fiorentina remain a formidable opponent. They currently occupy fourth place in Serie A and have set their sights on achieving success in Europe after falling short in previous finals.
Team News
Both teams are expected to make adjustments ahead of this important clash. For Vitoria de Guimaraes, Rui Borges may continue his strategy of rotating players between domestic and European competitions. Nuno Santos is likely to retain his spot after an impressive outing against St. Gallen, while defender Mikel Villanueva has returned from injury but will need support from his teammates as they face a strong Fiorentina side.
On the other hand, Fiorentina’s manager Raffaele Palladino may opt to rest some key players like Moise Kean and David de Gea due to the significance of this match. However, Jonathan Ikone is set to start after emerging as the club’s top scorer in the Conference League this season.
Expected Starting XIs
Vitoria: Varela; Baio, Rivas, Villanueva, Mendes; G. Silva, Manu, T. Silva; Kaio, Oliveira, Santos
Fiorentina: Terracciano; Dodo, Martinez Quarta, Ranieri, Parisi; Richardson, Mandragora; Ikone, Beltran, Sottil; Kouame
Match Prediction
Given Vitoria’s strong home form and Fiorentina’s recent inconsistencies in both domestic and European competitions, this match is poised to be closely contested. Vitoria will aim to leverage their home advantage while Fiorentina looks to assert themselves and secure progression.
Prediction: Vitoria 2-2 Fiorentina
