The second leg of the 2024/25 Europa League Round of 16 between Fiorentina (Italy) and Panathinaikos (Greece) will take place on March 13 at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence. The score of the first match was 3-2 in favor of Panathinaikos. Fiorentina vs. Panathinaikos: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Fiorentina
Raffaele Palladino's side suffered a 2-3 defeat in the first leg away and recorded only their second loss in the current Europa Conference League, excluding qualification (4 wins, 1 draw). Moreover, Fiorentina has never left the field without scoring in this edition of the tournament, and in 5 of 7 matches, they scored at least twice. To advance to the next round, the team needs to win in regular time by at least two goals. Notably, the club reached the Conference League final in both of the previous seasons.
- The team has not lost in regular time in their last 11 home matches in the Conference League (7 wins, 4 draws).
- At least three goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 7 of the last 10 home games in this tournament.
- The Italians scored in the second half in 11 of their last 12 home matches in the Conference League.
Predicted lineup for Fiorentina (4-3-3)
Pietro Terracciano – Fabiano Parisi, Pietro Comuzzo, Robin Gosens, Matias Moreno – Amir Richardson, Rolando Mandragora, Nicolo Fagioli – Lucas Beltran, Moise Kean, Dodo.
Midfielders Andrea Colpani and Michael Folorunsho will not play due to injuries.
Panathinaikos
Rui Vitoria's side, having won the first match, secured their fifth victory in their last six Conference League matches. Moreover, Panathinaikos failed to keep a clean sheet for only the second time in this period. To advance to the next round, the club needs to avoid losing after 90 minutes, and if they lose by one goal, extra time will be played. Notably, the team last reached the quarter-final stage of a European competition in the 2002/03 season.
- The club has not won in regular time in 4 of their last 5 away matches in the Conference League (1 draw, 3 losses).
- Exactly two or three goals have been scored in 90 minutes in the team's last five away games in this tournament.
- The Greeks have scored in regular time in their last four away matches in the Conference League.
Predicted lineup for Panathinaikos (4-3-3)
Bartlomiej Dragowski – Sverrir Ingi Ingason, Azzedine Ounahi, Giannis Kotsiras, Filip Mladenovic – Willian Arao, Nemanja Maksimovic, Emmanouil Siopis – Martins Tete, Karol Swiderski, Filip Djuricic.
Referee
John Beaton (Scotland)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 64;
Average yellow cards per match – 6.4;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 40%.
Fiorentina vs. Panathinaikos: Match Prediction
The Italians prefer to play from a position of strength on their home turf, focusing on an active attacking game. Fiorentina rarely faces problems in attack and is known for its high scoring ability: in the last 20 home matches in the Conference League, the team failed to score in regular time only once. However, such a style of play often leads to defensive mistakes: during this same period, Fiorentina kept a clean sheet only six times.
Although Panathinaikos has not often achieved success away in the Conference League, they consistently challenge the defensive lines of their opponents. In each of the four away matches in this tournament's current edition, the club scored, including two goals against TNS in the general stage. However, the Greeks have kept only one clean sheet in their last five away encounters in the Conference League.
I expect both teams to play actively in attack. I anticipate goals from both sides, so my prediction is: Both teams to score – yes
* The starting lineup for each team is based on their previous match in this tournament.
