Fiorentina
- Fiorentina are 16th in Serie A on 32 points from 31 games.
- La Viola have been inconsistent in Serie A and Europe recently, despite beating Raków Czestochowa in the previous round.
- Paolo Vanoli was appointed to steady the ship in November and his team have been more flexible and aggressive, with their wing-backs now pushing on to provide width.
- Moise Kean is still La Viola’s top scorer in the league and will be key to any comeback.
Crystal Palace
- Despite the short turnaround, Crystal Palace should hold their nerve and finish the job on Thursday by defeating Fiorentina again and flying through to the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League 2025-2026.
- Oliver Glasner has installed a pressing system that is as high-intensity as any in Europe.
- The Eagles’ ability to win the ball in advanced positions and counter-attack quickly with tempo and numbers made a 3-0 win in the first leg.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta made an instant impact on his return to Palace’s starting lineup, scoring from the spot.
- Ismaïla Sarr’s pace and ability to exploit space on the break made him an ever-present threat on the counter.
- Palace are favorites to see out the tie as Fiorentina will have to attack from the start to have any chance of forcing extra-time.
Head-to-Head
Palace lead the UEFA Conference League quarter-final series 3-0 after their first-leg win over Fiorentina.
Key Players
- Crystal Palace
- Jean-Philippe Mateta made an instant impact on his return to Palace’s starting lineup, scoring from the spot.
- Ismaïla Sarr’s pace and ability to exploit space on the break made him an ever-present threat on the counter.
- Fiorentina
- Giovanni Fabbian will have to be more involved after a quiet first leg.
- Daichi Kamada will have to be more involved after a quiet first leg.
- Moise Kean will be key to any comeback.
Betting Insights
Palace’s odds to win the second leg are slightly favourable at 2.56 compared to Fiorentina at 2.72 and the draw at 3.2 , with value in the Palace to qualify market.
Prediction
Crystal Palace should hold their nerve and finish the job in Florence to reach the semi-finals.
