Belenenses will take on Fiorentina in Group I of the Europa League, which also features Basel and Lech Poznan. Belenenses got a 0-0 draw in Poland in the first round, while Fiorentina lost 1-2 at home to FC Basel.
To get a 0-0 draw in the opening round, Belenenses took advantage of Lech Poznan’s massive problems, with the Poles also resting some players. It was a poor game in all honesty but the Portugese side got what it wanted. Surely they would be satisfied with a similar result today against a red hot Fiorentina side. It will be difficult though, with the hosts in poor form, winning just 1 of the last 7 games and recently getting drubbed 6-0 by Benfica.
Fiorentina won 5 out of 7 games this season, including 4 of the last 5 and the only recent loss was the upset suffered at the hands of Basel earlier in this group. That result forces Fiorentina to approach this match in a serious manner and they will be confident of securing a result, being on a high after the brilliant 4-1 weekend victory in Milan over Inter.
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Team news & lineups:
Palmeira is out for Belenenses, while Gilberto, Pasqual, Bakic and Rodgriguez are out for Fiorentina.
Belenenses: Ventura – Geraldes, Tonel, Brandão, Ferreira – Pinto, Sousa; Sturgeon, Carlos Martins, Kuca – Luís Leal
Fiorentina: Sepe – Tomovic, Astori, Roncaglia – Blaszczykowski, Suarez, Vecino, Alonso – Fernandez, Ilicic – Babacar (Rossi)
Belenenses finished 6th this season, but the way they are looking so far, they might have to settle for a mid table finish this season. Surely they will be motivated to do well today and I don`t expect Fiorentina to have an easy time breaking them down, but in the end the visitors should be able to do the job, particularly as they really need a win here.
Fiorentina is in fantastic shape right now and with a strong lineup, along with proper motivation, I expect a solid day at the office for them and a victory to go with it. My tip is Fiorentina to win. Prediction: Belenenses – Fiorentina 0-1.
Pick: Fiorentina
Odds: 1.83 @ Bet365
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 5.81
Event date: 1 October