The second leg of the Europa League Round of 16 clash between Fiorentina (Italy) and Panathinaikos (Greece) will take place on March 13 at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence. The first match ended 3-2 in favor of Panathinaikos. Fiorentina vs. Panathinaikos: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Fiorentina
Raffaele Palladino's side suffered a 2-3 defeat away in the first leg, marking only their second loss in this season's Conference League, excluding qualifiers (4 wins, 1 draw). Additionally, Fiorentina has never left the pitch without scoring in this European campaign, and they have netted at least twice in 5 of their 7 matches. To progress to the next round, the team needs to win by at least two goals in regular time. Notably, the club has reached the Conference League final in both of the previous seasons.
- The team has not lost in regular time in their last 11 home matches in the Conference League (7 wins, 4 draws).
- At least three goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 7 of the club's last 10 home games in this European competition.
- The Italians have scored in the second half in 11 of their last 12 home matches in the Conference League.
Predicted lineup for Fiorentina (4-3-3)
Pietro Terracciano – Fabiano Parisi, Pietro Comuzzo, Robin Gosens, Matias Moreno – Amir Richardson, Rolando Mandragora, Nicolo Fagioli – Lucas Beltran, Moise Kean, Dodo.
Midfielders Andrea Colpani and Michael Folorunsho will not play due to injuries.
Panathinaikos
Rui Vitória's side secured their fifth win in six recent Conference League matches by winning the first leg. Additionally, it was only the second time in this period that Panathinaikos failed to keep a clean sheet. To advance to the next round, the club needs to avoid defeat over 90 minutes, while a one-goal loss would lead to extra time. Notably, the team last reached the quarter-finals of a European competition in the 2002/03 season.
- The club has not won in regular time in 4 of their last 5 away matches in the Conference League (1 draw, 3 losses).
- Exactly two or three goals have been scored in 90 minutes in the team's last five away games in this European competition.
- The Greeks have scored in regular time in their last four away matches in the Conference League.
Predicted lineup for Panathinaikos (4-3-3)
Bartlomiej Dragowski – Sverrir Ingi Ingason, Azzedine Ounahi, Giannis Kotsiras, Filip Mladenovic – Willian Arao, Nemanja Maksimovic, Emmanouil Siopis – Martins Tete, Karol Swiderski, Filip Djuricic.
Fiorentina vs. Panathinaikos: Match Prediction
The Italians prefer to play from a position of strength at home, focusing on an active attacking game. Fiorentina rarely encounters issues in attack and is known for their high scoring ability: in their last 20 home Conference League matches, the team has only failed to score once in regular time. However, this style of play often leads to defensive errors, with the Florentines keeping a clean sheet only six times in the same period.
While Panathinaikos has not often achieved success away in the Conference League, they have consistently troubled the opposition's defense. The club has scored in each of their four away matches in this tournament's current edition, including two goals against TNS in the group stage. However, the Greeks have recorded only one clean sheet in their last five away games in the Conference League.
I expect both teams to play actively in attack. I anticipate both teams will score, so my prediction: Both teams to score – yes
* The starting lineup for each team is based on their previous match in this tournament.
