UECL Final this Wednesday
The UEFA Europa Conference League final will feature Fiorentina and West Ham, two teams that have each won only one European trophy in their histories.
Fiorentina, aiming to keep the trophy in Italian hands, will face West Ham, who are competing in their first European final since 1975-76. Both teams have a chance to secure a significant win in their modern history, making this encounter tactically intriguing.
So, let’s dig deeper into this match and explore some value bets!
Team Form
Fiorentina arrives at the final after a hard-fought journey, overcoming Swiss side Basel with a 4-3 aggregate score in the semi-finals.
Their most recent performance at St. Jakob-Park was particularly dramatic, as they claimed a 3-1 victory in extra time, thanks to two crucial goals from Nicolás González.
Overall, Fiorentina has won four, drawn one, and lost one of their last six matches in all competitions, displaying solid recent form.
In contrast, West Ham booked their spot in the final by defeating AZ Alkmaar 3-1 on aggregate. Their campaign has been nothing short of impressive, going unbeaten in all 14 of their Europa Conference League matches (W13 D1) and finding the back of the net in every game (33 goals in total).
Their undefeated streak in Europe is the longest for an English team since Chelsea’s 16-game run in 2018-2019.
However, West Ham’s domestic form has been less consistent, with four wins and three losses in their last seven outings.
Team News
Fiorentina’s manager, Vincenzo Italiano, has rotated his squad in recent matches to keep key players fresh for the final. With most of the squad available, he will be keen to select his strongest starting XI and devise a strategy to outwit West Ham.
On the injury front, West Ham’s Gianluca Scamacca will be absent due to knee surgery. As a result, Michail Antonio will spearhead the London side’s attack.
Potential Tactical Approach
Given the significance of the final and the teams’ lack of experience in European showpieces, both managers will be cautious and play their strongest line-ups.
Fiorentina: Terracciano, Dodô, Quarta, Milenković, Biraghi; Mandragora, Amrabat; González, Bonaventura, Ikoné; Cabral
West Ham: Aréola, Kehrer, Zouma, Aguerd, Cresswell; Souček, Rice, Paquetá; Bowen, Antonio, Benrahma
