Thursday, Aug. 24 predictions: European debut for Vincenzo Italiano’s Fiorentina, on stage in Vienna against Rapid.
Last few places up for grabs for the group stage in the Europa League as well: the play-offs will decide them, as is also the case in the other two cups, Champions and Conference League. Not directly qualified is Ajax, a far cry from the glories of the ten Hag era. The Lancers are coming off a disappointing season, have rejuvenated the squad, and in order not to stay out of international competition must win the doubleheader with Ludogorets.
The first leg is played in Bulgaria: the hosts, just like Ajax, are not bursting with health but could make life difficult for the Dutch. Instead, the Belgians of Union Saint-Gilloise, coached by former Genoa coach Alexander Blessin, should score a success. The yellow-blues were among the surprises of last year’s edition and want to impress again this year: the Swiss of Lugano are warned. In the Conference League it’s time for Fiorentina, which finds itself back in Europe just over two months after that ill-fated final lost to West Ham in Prague. The Viola, fresh off a fantastic performance in the league opener in Genoa, start favored in the match with Rapid Vienna but in the Austrian away match they may not be able to keep their goal unbroken.
Other match predictions
One of the most interesting challenges is the one between Edin Dzeko and Dusan Tadic’s Fenerbahçe and the Dutch Twente, who a year ago in the play-offs put a scare into Fiorentina itself.
The Turks, in any case, are off to a great start and should make the home factor count in a match that is likely to provide excitement. Goals are also in sight for Lille-Rijeka and Levski Sofia-Eintracht Frankfurt. The match between Spanish side Osasuna and Club Brugge, on the other hand, promises to be close. Finally, in the night, there is the appointment with another Libertadores match: Fluminense is slightly favored over the Paraguayans of Olimpia Asuncion.
Predictions: the Seer’s Choice
- Al-Hilal wins and scores between two and four goals in Al Raed-Al Hilal, Saudi Pro League, 8 p.m.
Winners
- Viktoria Plzen (in Tobol-Viktoria Plzen, Conference League, 4 p.m.)
- Bodo/Glimt (in Sepsi-Bodo/Glimt, Conference League, 7 p.m.)
- Fenerbahçe (in Fenerbahçe-Twente, Conference League, 7 p.m.)
- Union Saint-Gilloise (in Union Saint-Gilloise-Lugano, Europa League, 8:30 p.m.)
- Fluminense (in Fluminense-Olimpia Asuncion, Copa Libertadores, 02:30)
Matches of at least three total goals
- Rapid Vienna-Fiorentina, Conference League, 7 p.m.
- Levski Sofia-Eintracht Frankfurt, Champions League, 7 p.m.
- Lille-Rijeka, Conference League, 8:00 p.m.
- Ludogorets-Ajax, Europa League, 8 p.m.
