Conference League, the third qualifying round also ends in the archives. Fiorentina’s opponent is decided: predictions.
The penultimate round of qualifying for the group stage of the 23-24 Conference League concludes with another slugfest of matches, scattered around Europe.
Fibrentina, repechaged after Juventus was disqualified by Uefa, awaits the name of the opponent it will face in a week’s time in the first leg of the play-offs (no team, not even the most emblazoned ones, are qualified directly). Vincenzo Italiano’s Viola, finalists in the last edition, will face the winner of the challenge between Hungary’s Debreceni and Austria’s Rapid Vienna. In Austria seven days ago, we witnessed a surprisingly balanced match, with the guests able to muzzle the green-and-white attack. Rapid is now called upon to win away: overall they are superior to the Magyars and should come out on top already in regulation time, but it will not be a walk in the park. Another unexpected result was Dinamo Kiev’s 1-0 defeat at home to Aris Thessaloniki. The Ukrainians led by the experienced Mircea Lucescu will have to turn everything around in the return match: not an easy mission, but within reach.
No problem instead for Twente, which has already mortgaged qualification by beating Latvians Riga 2-0. Lech Poznan is also favored for passage to the round, and in Trnava, Slovakia, it should defend the 2-1 first leg without any major fears.
The predictions on the other matches
The Danes of Nordsjaelland, who drew 0-0 with the Romanians of FCSB in the first round, are likely to make the home factor count.
Arouca players
A complicated away game is looming for the Portuguese Arouca, who will pay a visit to Brann after the victory (2-1) recorded in Portugal. This time the Norwegians should avoid defeat but are unlikely to keep their goal inviolate. Among the most interesting (and uncertain) matches of this round is the challenge between Paok Thessaloniki and Hajduk Split: the Bianconeri continue to be favorites-not only because of playing the return match at home-but the Croatians promise battle. Ghent, Bodo/Glimt, Besiktas, Ferencvaros and Fenerbahçe in the first leg won in goleada against Pogon Szczecin, Pyunik, Neftçi Baku and Hamrun Spartans and Maribor, respectively, and have a good chance of repeating themselves in the return leg as well. Finally, Midtjylland, which surrendered 1-0 to Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus, is in danger. There should also be no shortage of excitement in Maccabi Tel Aviv-Aek Larnaca, Osijek-Adana Demirspor and Hearts-Rosenborg.
Conference League: likely winners
- Ballkani (in Lincoln Red Imps-Ballkani, 6 p.m.)
- Dinamo Kiev (in Dinamo Kiev-Aris Thessaloniki, 7 p.m.)
- Nordsjaelland (in Nordsjaelland-FCSB, 7 p.m.)
- Twente (in Riga-Twente, 7 p.m.)
- Brann or draw (in Brann-Arouca, 7 p.m.)
- PAOK (in PAOK Thessaloniki-Hajduk Split, 7:30 p.m.)
- Lech Poznan (in Spartak Trnava-Lech Poznan, 20:00)
- Rapid Vienna (in Debreceni-Rapid Vienna, 9 p.m.)
The games by at least one goal per team
- Austria Vienna-Legia Warsaw, 7 p.m.
- Maccabi Tel Aviv-AEK Larnaca, 7:00 p.m.
- Osijek-Adana Demirspor, 8:00 p.m.
- Hearts-Rosenborg, 8:45 p.m.
Conference League, matches with at least three total goals
- Pogon Szczecin-Gent, 6 p.m.
- Pyunik-Bodo/Glimt, 6 p.m.
- Besiktas-Neftçi Baku, 7:00 p.m.
- Ferencvaros-Hamrun Spartans, 7:30 p.m.
- Midtjylland-Omonia Nicosia, 7:45 p.m.
- Maribor-Fenerbahçe, 8:15 p.m.
