SportsMall previews Thursday's Conference League clash between St. Gallen and Fiorentina, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Fiorentina We need to maintain the winning streak at this point in the season. conference league Thursday afternoon, when they saw the Swiss fighters. St. Gallen In Gibbon Park.
After their home win over The New Saints sparked a resurgence in Serie A, the Viola now face opponents who were beaten 6-2 on matchday one.
Competition Preview
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Having reached the final in the last two years, Fiorentina narrowly missed out on another Conference League campaign this time by beating Puskas Academy on penalties in the playoffs.
The Tuscan side worked hard before defeating Cymru Premier side TNS 2-0 at the Stadio Franchi in their first match of the league stage. Yasin Atli AND Moise Kean Both scored midway through the second half.
Until then, Fiorentina's league situation had been flat Rafael Palladino Replaced former boss italian vincenzo (They have failed to win their first four Serie A games only once in five years), but clear signs of improvement have emerged.
Just before the international break, the Viola achieved victories again, both against two different rivals: TNS and then AC Milan. David de Gea Penalty save and Milan-owned Attlee scored a goal against their parent club.
They will now head to Switzerland in fifth place after thrashing 10-man Legs 6-0 on Via del Mare. Serie A standingsOnly six points from first place.
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In stark contrast to Fiorentina's recent form, St Gallen suffered a 6-2 defeat against Circle Brook in their Conference League opener. Kevin Sysoboth AND Felix Mambimbi offers little comfort.
That setback left them in 35th place. Table with 36 teamsAnd with just one match played, UEFA's third-tier competition has just six league games, compared to eight in both the Champions League and Europa League.
Switzerland's oldest club qualified to reach this stage of the competition, unexpectedly eliminating Trabzonspor, but already has a lot of work to do to reach the knockout rounds.
After the 2-1 defeat against Basel at the weekend, Enrico MassenThe team has not won in four games, but still occupies sixth place Swiss Super League standings.
At home this season, St Gallen have gone unbeaten in three Conference League qualifying matches, so they will hope to build on that advantage to defy the odds on Thursday.
St Gallen Conference League Format:
St Gallen format (all matches):
Fiorentina Conference League Format:
Fiorentina form (all matches):
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Although Rafael Palladino named the same lineup for Fiorentina's two recent league wins, he is set to make major changes in midweek with an eye on Sunday's match against Roma.
Palladino will return to the bench after his suspension from Serie A, while the defensive trio Lucas Ranieri, Pietro Comuzzo AND Lucas Martínez Guarta UEFA sanctions are still available.
Icelandic striker Albert Gudmundsen He suffered a hamstring injury last weekend and has to join Marin Ponkrasic beside; Star players like Moise Kean have rested.
Meanwhile, St Gallen's top scorer Willem Kuebles Last time he found the net against Basel and once again had to lead their attack.
The former captain of the Swiss under-21 team supports from behind. Bastian Tom He has four assists this season and two goals in the Conference League playoffs.
Chatrak Akolo, Bedim Fusliji, Gregorio Carlon and central Ghana Stephen Ambrosio All of them are sent to the host's treatment room.
Probable starting lineup for St. Gallen:
Ati-jigi; Faber, Stanic, Falci, Yannick; Stevanovic, Quintilla, Gordler; Thomas; Mambimbi, Kubels
Possible starting lineup for Fiorentina:
Terracian; Gayot, Moreno, Martínez Cuarta, Bragi; Richardson, Atlee; Icon, Beltrán, Subtle; Kwame
We say: St Gallen 1-3 Fiorentina
Fiorentina may not always travel well, but a team that has negotiated safety to the final in successive campaigns should have enough trouble to beat St Gallen.
The home team often concedes goals, so they will almost certainly suffer another defeat in the Conference League.
Click here to see the data analysis of the most likely results, scores and more for this match.
