Serbian side, Cukarici, travel to Italy this week where they will attempt to shock Fiorentina. The visitors are priced at 20/1 to win the tie and the hosts are expected to win comfortably.
Fiorentina
La viola have had a rather successful start to the 2023/24 Serie A season and after nine games, they are in 5th place. Fiorentina have won five of their matches and only lost twice, against Inter and Empoli this week. Vincenzo Italiano's team have scored an average of two goals per game with Nicolas Gonzalez and Giacomo Bonaventura scoring half the goals between them.
Fiorentina have displayed their confidence in front of goal in Europe already this season, but unfortunately their defence has been breached with ease. Both of their games versus Genk and Ferencvaros ended with a 2-2 score line yet the most accurate way to portray the two matches is to describe them as contests where missed chances decided the outcome.
Cukarici
Cukarici are 6th in the Serbian top flight this season after ten matches. Unfortunately for Igor Matic's side, they have struggled in front of goal this season, netting 1.4 times per game on average. They have a solid defensive record domestically but when facing top sides, they have been breached rather easily.
For example, the opening two matches versus Ferencvaros and Genk has seen them be dominated. Cukarici have conceded five goals so far, but that figure could have been much higher if the opposition were not wasteful in the final third. The Serbian side are bottom of Group F, losing both matches.
Verdict?
Fiorentina simply have to win this game and it would be a huge shock if they didn't. Cukarici will look to frustrate the hosts using every trick in the book, but quality should prevail.
The final prediction is Fiorentina 3-0 Cukarici.
