Fiorentina will face West Ham at Prague’s Eden Arena on Wednesday in the 2022-23 final of the UEFA Conference League, the second ever edition of the third European competition. The Viola are all set to succeed inaugural winners AS Roma and keep the trophy in Italy, while the Hammers set their sights on a first major honor in 43 years. Here’s what you need to know:
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Date: Wednesday 7 June | Time: 3 p.m. ET
Place: Eden Arena — Prague, Czech Republic
Live stream: Paramount+
Chances: Fiorentina +175; Sign +205; West Ham +170 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
What to know
- Both clubs have European trophies to their credit, each winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup in the 1960s – Fiorentina in the first edition of 1960-61 became the first Italian team to win major UEFA silverware and West Ham at their European debut in 1964-65. The London side was also one of three winners of the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1999.
- Fiorentina have a positive record against English opposition, winning two of their three knockout matches. They defeated Everton 4–2 on penalties at Goodison Park in the 2007–08 UEFA Cup Round of 16 after two 2–0 home wins and Tottenham Hotspur in the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League Round of 16, but lost to Spurs at the same time . stage of the same competition 12 months later in their most recent match with an English club.
- Fiorentina finished seventh in Serie A last season under new head coach Vincenzo Italiano and made their first appearance in Europe since 2016-17. When they last returned to UEFA competition after an equally long hiatus, in 2007–08, they reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup, where they were knocked out on penalties by Rangers after two goalless draws.
- Finished seventh in the 2021-22 Premier League, West Ham therefore secured a second successive European campaign after going all the way to the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League last season, a journey that took David Moyes’ side past Sevilla and Lyon in the knockout. stage before being knocked out by eventual winner Eintracht Frankfurt.
- The Hammers have visited Prague only once before in UEFA competition, losing 2–1 to Sparta in the second round of their triumphant 1964–65 European Cup Winners’ Cup campaign, but winning the tie 3–2.
Prediction
Fiorentina ended the season in much better form compared to West Ham as Italiano’s side also played the Coppa Italia final against Inter (losing 2–1). The Viola should make it this time. Choose: Fiorentina 3, West Ham 1.
