Conference League semi-final, second leg, Wednesday, 08.05.2024
Caution, dear sports betting fans! The fact that the Conference League is played on Thursday is as self-evident as the fact that the best sports betting bonus is only available to us betting fans. But this semi-final fixture is taking place the day before, for a change!
I’m therefore submitting my Bruges Fiorentina betting tip to the betting office on Wednesday afternoon. In it, I’m assuming a match with a possible half-time lead for the home side, which is unlikely to please the Viola fans traveling with them
In a way, Fiorentina have committed themselves to winning. After all, the Italians’ path back to the international stage via the Serie A standings has been blocked since last weekend.
The 2:1 defeat against Hellas Verona deprived them of any realistic chance of finishing in one of the top places. Meanwhile, there is a first-class chance of qualifying directly for the more prestigious Europa League by winning the UECL.
After all, the “Viola” have already won the first leg against Bruges 3:2. And in fact, a higher victory would have been possible at the Stadio Artemio Franchi
However, it must be said that the game could have gone very differently had Raphael Onyedika not been sent off with a yellow card in the 61st minute of the match for an impetuous challenge.
The fact that his team were able to draw level at 2:2 without him speaks volumes for the Belgians’ ability to stand up to this opponent even when they were outnumbered.
What I personally took away from this first leg is the certainty that Fiorentina will regret not having used their numerical superiority for an even higher final score
Brugge may be missing Raphael Onyedika for the second leg, but the absence of Riccardo Sottil through injury will hit Fiorentina even harder.
The Italian was the Viola’s best player in the first leg and also scored the first goal of the game.
In my opinion, the fact that the club has now announced that his season is over automatically increases the Belgian’s chances of progressing.
In a way, this loss “relieves” FC Brugge’s vulnerable right side of defense
In addition, don’t forget that although Brugge lost the first leg outnumbered, they have only been notable for their victories before and after.
In fact, Bruges have won each of their last nine competitive games, with the exception of the aforementioned encounter against Florence!
And at the Jan Breydel Stadium? A 2-1 defeat against Anderlecht was Bruges’ last defeat in the period between September 2023 and today
In view of the Belgian side’s impressive run of form and Fiorentina’s surprising setback against Verona at the weekend, the sports betting providers have reconsidered their position.
In the meantime, the Bruges Fiorentina odds have been almost perfectly balanced.
The reputable bookmaker Sunmaker, who took my betting friends by storm with the Sunmaker bonus, for example, is offering odds of almost identical 2.60 for either side to win in regulation time.
In my opinion, Florence can not only lose on Wednesday, but also completely squander their lead in regulation time.
The Italians may be unbeaten in 12 consecutive European Cup games, but most of their victories have come at the good old Artemio Franchi.
The away record for the 2023/24 Europa Conference League season, on the other hand, is not exactly exhilarating, with two wins, three draws and one defeat.
And if you also bear in mind that neither of the last two visits to a Jupiler League club were crowned with success, it might be easier for you to understand my betting decision
I could of course leave it at a simple home win bet, but to further increase your payout, it is also worth considering the “1/1” betting option. Because if Brugge are already ahead at the break, then the Belgians will probably stay in front until the end.
After all, 10 of Brugge’s last 11 UECL games and each of Fiorentina’s last six have ended with the same score at half-time.
So if Bruges were already in the lead after 45 minutes, for example, they never relinquished it until the final whistle
Conclusion: Riccardo Sottil’s absence will leave a big gap. The Italian was “Man of the Match” in the first leg and the creator of many offensive actions.
I therefore expect a completely different game at the Jan Breydel Stadium next Wednesday than just under a week ago.
The Viola will go from hunter to hunted! I wouldn’t be surprised if the Belgians made it to the final without the need for extra time.
My Bruges Fiorentina tip: The FCB qualify!
