Puskas Academy vs Fiorentina Predictions

• Puskas Academy are aiming to qualify for their first ever UEFA tournament group stage
• Fiorentina lost last year’s final to Olympiakos in extra-time
• The sides played out a six-goal thriller in the first leg, finishing 3-3

I Viola can avoid major shock by edging past Hungarians

Fiorentina have work to do in order to reach the group stages of the Conference League – a tournament which they have lost two of the three finals in its history – but Raffaele Paladino’s men should be able to get the job done against Puskas Academy on Thursday night.

I Viola have drawn each of their opening three matches in all competitions however they have lost just six of their 22 total meetings with Hungarian sides, holding Ferencvaros to draws home in the group stages last season en-route to the final.

Puskas Academy were only founded in 2005 but already find themselves in their fourth ever qualification campaign for a UEFA tournament. They have won seven of their nine competitive fixtures this season – losing none – however they have never beaten a side from a top five league on the continental stage.

The relative inexperience of the Hungarians could therefore see them fall at the final hurdle and it is difficult to see Fiorentina falling at this early stage. After netting three times in Italy, Puskas Academy should have enough about them to score but the quality of the Italians should shine through, with our prediction being a 2-1 away victory.