Fiorentina vs West Ham – Final – Preview & Prediction | 2022-23 UEFA Europa Conference League
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THE FACTS
When is Fiorentina vs West Ham on and what time does it start? Fiorentina vs West Ham will take place on Wednesday 7th June, 2023 – 20:00 (UK)
Where is Fiorentina vs West Ham taking place? Fiorentina vs West Ham will take place at Fortuna Arena in Prague, Czechia
Where can I get tickets for Fiorentina vs West Ham? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Fiorentina vs West Ham on in the UK? BT Sport have the rights to televise the UEFA Europa Conference League in the UK so it is worth checking their schedule to see if Fiorentina vs West Ham will be televised
Where can I stream Fiorentina vs West Ham in the UK? BT Sport subscribers can stream Fiorentina vs West Ham live on the BT Sport Player & app
THE LOWDOWN
FIORENTINA
Two weeks after losing the Coppa Italia final to Inter Milan, Fiorentina are back for another crack at winning a trophy, this time in Europe. You have to go back to 1961 for the last time La Viola won a European honour, that being the UEFA Cup Winners Cup and 2001 for their most recent trophy of any kind (the Coppa Italia). They made it to Prague in dramatic style, scoring in the dying seconds of extra-time to defeat Basel over two legs, twice coming from behind on aggregate to turn the tie on its head at the death.
They go into the Europa Conference League final having ended their Serie A season with consecutive victories over AS Roma and Sassuolo. Interestingly, they have already lost three games in Europe this season, but that hasn’t stopped them from making the final. Possession will key for the Italian side and specifically how they utilise it against a West Ham side extremely dangerous on the counter-attack. Offence is clearly Fiorentina’s biggest strength and they cannot afford to waste any chances they do create here.
WEST HAM
You have to go back to 1980 for the last time West Ham tasted any sort of silverware and even further than that to 1965 for their only European title as it stands, the UEFA Cup Winners Cup. When taking into account the financial chasm between the so-called ‘big six’ in England and clubs such as West Ham, it wouldn’t be overexaggerating to say that the Hammers may never get a better chance than this to win a trophy for many years. But having won 11 of their 12 games played in this season’s Europa Conference League without losing, they have earnt their spot in the final and will be extremely confident of coming out on top.
The worry for West Ham is that following this campaign, they could lose talisman Declan Rice, the England international having been so influential for David Moyes’ side over an extended period of time. There would be no better way for Rice to bring the curtain down on West Ham’s career than winning in Prague, but a place in next season Europa League could yet convince him to stay. Defensively, the Hammers need to replicate their brilliant rearguard performance away at AZ Alkmaar which saw them not only defend a one-goal aggregate lead, but also pinch victory on the counter-attack. Whilst you’d expect a more expansive showing from Moyes’ men in the final, their defensive grit will need to be on point.
THE TEAM NEWS
FIORENTINA
Fiorentina have a couple of players doubtful for the final. Second-choice goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu and midfielder Antonin Barak are both hoping to prove their fitness ahead of the game. There is plenty of competition for places amid La Viola’s starting XI with Arthur Cabral and Nicolas Gonzalez probably the two players guaranteed to play. Josip Brekalo should get the nod over Jonathan Ikone.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Terracciano; Dodo, Milenkovic, Martinez, Biraghi; Bonaventura, Amrabat, Mandragora; Gonzalez, Cabral, Brekalo
UNAVAILABLE: Acuna (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE: Barak (Injured), Sirigu (Injured)
WEST HAM
The only definite absentee for West Ham is striker Gianluca Scamacca, the forward missing out against an opposition of his native Italy. Michail Antonio should lead the line for the Hammers, whilst Theo Kehrer is expected to be preferred to Vladimir Coufal at right-back. Whilst David Moyes could opt for a 4-3-3 formation, he is more likely to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, at least initially with Lucas Paqueta pushed slightly further forward.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Areola; Kehrer, Aguerd, Zouma, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Antonio
UNAVAILABLE: Scamacca (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Fiorentina no doubt contain the firepower going forward to cause West Ham serious problems in this final. But it cannot be underestimated how well the Hammers defended against another extremely strong attacking side in AZ Alkmaar and in a big final, expect David Moyes’ men to be on top of their respective games. The likes of Bowen and Paqueta should see West Ham carve out opportunities at the other end with Antonio the perfect frontman to hold the ball up and bring others into play. Over the course of this competition, West Ham have been the best team, the results reflect that and they are expected to prove that in this final. Back the Premier League side to get the better of Fiorentina and lift the Europa Conference League trophy.
TIP: WEST HAM TO LIFT THE TROPHY
