Fiorentina vs Club Brugge Prediction and Betting Tips: Igor Thiago tipped in Europa Conference League clash
Fiorentina are preparing to take the next step on their quest for back-to-back Europa Conference League final appearances when they host Club Brugge in the semi-final first leg on Thursday night.
The game takes place at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence, kicking off at 8pm.
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Fiorentina have been a tough nut to crack on their own patch in the Europa Conference League this season and, with the club down in eighth place in Serie A, all their focus is on revenging last season’s final defeat to West Ham United.
Manager Vincenzo Italiano made a host of changes to his starting lineup in the 5-1 win over Sassuolo last time out and his big names are set to return on Thursday night.
Club Brugge head to Tuscany in the thick of a title race in the Belgian First Division A, as they sit level on points with their old rivals Anderlecht with just four rounds of games left to play.
A tight encounter is expected for this one at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, with neither side looking to give too much away before the highly-anticipated second leg at Jan Breydel Stadion next week.
Fiorentina vs Club Brugge Tips
Fiorentina have lost just one of their last nine games at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in all competitions ahead of the arrival of Club Brugge, in the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
The scoreline has been level at full-time in four of Fiorentina’s last five games in the Europa Conference League and that trend might well continue on Thursday night in Florence.
Both teams have found the back of the net in four of Fiorentina’s last six games in this competition and, considering the firepower Club Brugge have at their disposal, it would be little surprise to see both these sides get on the scoresheet.
The top goalscorer in the league for Club Brugge with 18 this season, Igor Thiago has been the focal point for the team’s attack this term.
Thiago’s time in Belgium is approaching a conclusion, with Premier League side Brentford already confirming a deal to sign the 22-year-old forward on July 1st.
The former Ludogorets Razgrad striker will be hoping to leave Club Brugge on a high before making the switch to the Gtech Community Stadium.
With six goals in the Europa Conference League already this season, Thiago is well-priced to score the opening goal of the game on Thursday night.
Fiorentina have been known to make sloppy starts in this competition on home soil and the visitors might be able to take advantage.
Ferencvaros and fellow Belgian outfit Genk have both scored the opening goal at the Stadio Artemio Franchi this season and Thiago can be the man to get the visitors off to a strong start in this semi-final first leg.
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