Fiorentina vs West Ham: UECL Final Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups and Fantasy XI

Fiorentina vs West Ham head to Prague on Wednesday night to do battle in the 2023 final of the Europa Conference League.

Match Details:

• Location: Prague, Czech Republic
• Stadium: Fortuna Arena
• Date: Wednesday 7 June
• Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
• Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande (ESP)
• VAR: Juan Martinez Munuera (ESP)

Fiorentina vs West Ham: Match Preview

Fans of bigger clubs often look down upon the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League. These competitions may not hold much value in their eyes. But it represents a massive opportunity for these finalists to keep playing in Europe. And Fiorentina and West Ham United will clash in the final this week.

Fiorentina were last seen in a European final more than three decades ago when Juventus beat them in the 1990 UEFA Cup showpiece. It is a massive opportunity for La Viola to keep their objectives relevant and keep playing continental football.

Fiorentina's eighth-placed finish was not good enough for them to secure qualification to Europa Conference League next season. However, they could move up to the Europa League by beating West Ham United in Prague. Antonin Barak's late winner in extra time against a stubborn FC Basel side took them to this eventual place.

"They have got a great opportunity"

David Moyes spoke of the chance Wednesday presents for the players and the Club 🗣 pic.twitter.com/c7HZL98T05

— West Ham United (@WestHam) June 2, 2023

Fiorentina have one last hurdle in the form of West Ham United. David Moyes has endured a difficult season on and off the pitch. At one stage, the Hammers seemed destined to fight the relegation battle in the Premier League before surviving quite comfortably.

Due to the heavy spending last summer, David Moyes was under pressure to deliver results. Without those, his job has come under massive scrutiny, with many believing he could get the sack when the season ends. If that were the case, the Scotsman would like to end a massive trophy drought at West Ham, who have not won anything since the 1980 FA Cup.

While the Hammers were dismal in the Premier League, they have remained unbeaten in the Europa Conference League. They got to the Prague final owing to a stubborn performance away to AZ Alkmaar, a game decided by a late Pablo Fornals strike. Moyes will hope that was not the end of their journey as he would wish and pray for just one more.

Team News:

Fiorentina:

Fiorentina are without only backup goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu and will come into this one well-rested after manager Vincenzo Italiano rotated out most of his big names for the Serie A finale.

Lavoro. 💪#ForzaViola #Fiorentina #ACFFiorentina pic.twitter.com/ExKPogCelG

— ACF Fiorentina (@acffiorentina) June 4, 2023

West Ham:

Gianluca Scamacca remains sidelined after undergoing knee surgery but should be the only fitness concern for manager David Moyes, who will likely give cup goalkeeper Alphonse Areola a run-out in place of usual number one Lukasz Fabianski.

All eyes will be on midfielder Declan Rice, who could be playing his final game for the club as the elite begin to circle. He is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Bobby Moore in lifting a European trophy. Indeed, West Ham are already bracing for opening bids for their captain.

Fiorentina vs West Ham: Head to Head

Fiorentina have an excellent historical record against West Ham United and have won the two matches that have been played between the two teams. The Hammers are yet to win a match against La Viola.

Fiorentina are unbeaten in four of their last five matches in all competitions, with their only defeat during this period coming by a 2-1 margin at the hands of Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia final.

West Ham United have conceded nine goals in their last five matches in all competitions, with their only clean sheet during this period coming in a 1-0 victory against AZ Alkmaar.

Fiorentina have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last five matches in all competitions but have also managed to find the back of the net in each of these games.

Predicted Line-ups:

Fiorentina (4-2-3-1): Terracciano; Dodo, Martinez Quarta, Milenkovic, Biraghi; Amrabat, Mandragora; Gonzalez, Bonaventura, Ikone; Cabral

West Ham (4-2-3-1): Areola; Kehrer, Aguerd, Zouma, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen , Paqueta, Benrahma; Antonio

FIO vs WHU: Fantasy XI

Areola; Kehrer, Aguerd, Milenkovic, Amrabat, Soucek, Rice, Gonzalez, Bowen , Paqueta, Cabral