For our Fiorentina vs. Braga prediction, we're going for a 2-2 draw.
Fiorentina will play what is as close to a dead rubber match as you're likely to see in European competition as they face Sporting Braga in the second leg of their Europa Conference League last 16 with an unassailable 4-0 lead from the first leg.
Fiorentina reached the Europa Conference League last 16 by finishing 2nd on goal difference in Group A, a group containing Istanbul Basaksehir, Hearts and FK Rigas Futbola Skola.
In what was expected to be one of the round's most competitive ties, the Italian side utterly thumped a Braga team that are having a fine season in Portugal and effectively confirmed their progression to the quarterfinals in one leg.
Fiorentina aren't having a particularly strong season domestically, either, as they currently languish down in 14th in the league table amidst a very poor run of league form.
Fiorentina have won two, drawn two and lost four of their last eight matches in all competitions with both of their wins coming outside of the league. Most recently, Fiorentina drew 1-1 with Empoli at the weekend.
Their home form isn't particularly impressive, either, having won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five matches on home soil.
There isn't much to say about this game as the result, providing Braga don't win by four or five goals, is likely to be largely inconsequential. It's unlikely Fiorentina will play to their best here but even still they should progress comfortably.
Sporting Braga reached the Europa Conference League last 16 by finishing 3rd in Europa League Group D, a group containing Union Saint-Gilloise, Union Berlin and Malmo.
The Portuguese side were leathered on their own turf by Fiorentina last time out in a fairly puzzling result considering how good Braga have been domestically this season.
The Portuguese side sit 3rd in the Primeira Liga, seven points off Benfica at the top, and have beaten Benfica twice this season.
They now enter this game playing only for pride as they look to go out on their sword and at least salvage some of their reputation.
The game against Fiorentina aside, Braga's form is excellent coming into this game with the Portuguese side having won four of their last five matches in all competitions and eight of their last ten.
They did brush off the defeat in Italy in time for their game at the weekend where they ran out 2-0 winners over Arouca.
Braga will almost certainly give a better account of themselves here and given how relaxed Fiorentina will be they may even win the game. It will almost certainly be too little too late for the Portuguese side unfortunately though, with the damage being done last week.
Don’t forget to check out the rest of our previews, tips and offers for this weekend’s action.
