OLYMPIACOS are looking to make history in the UEFA Europa Conference League Final and will feel fate is on their side against Fiorentina with the showpiece being played in Athens.
The Greek giants have never lifted a European trophy but this could be their time after swatting aside tournament favourites Aston Villa in the semis with a 6-2 aggregate win.
I thought the bookies were being a bit disrespectful by making Villa just evens to lift the trophy before a ball was kicked in the last four and Olympiacos made a mockery of those odds by winning both legs.
Fiorentina present a difficult final hurdle though and the Serie A side will be out to banish the memories of last season, when they lost to West Ham in the showpiece thanks to a last-gasp Jarrod Bowen goal.
Vincenzo Italiano's men saw off Club Brugge in the semis, with two bets landing for Gabriel in the first leg, and will fancy their chances of lifting a European trophy for the first time since 1961.
How the bookies view it: Fiorentina the favourites
Despite playing on home soil, Olympiacos as the outsiders with Bet365 who price them at 11/10 to lift the trophy, with Fiorentina 4/6 favourites. For a win inside 90 minutes the odds increase to 13/10 for the Italians while the Greeks are 21/10. A draw at 90 minutes pays 9/4.
Head to head: Italian sob for Olympiacos
These sides have never faced off before but Olympiacos don't have a great record against Italian sides. They've won just seven of their 28 games against teams from Italy, losing 16 times. Fiorentina have only played Greek sides five times, with one win, one defeat and three draws.
Players to watch: El Kaabi the driving force
Ayoub El Kaabi was the scourge of Aston Villa in the semis, netting a hat-trick in the first leg then following it with a double in Greece. The striker is on 34 goals for the season so looks worth a punt for anytime scorer at 13/5.
Playmaker Nicolas Gonzalez has been in tremendous form for Fiorentina this season, chipping in with 14 goals. The Argentinian is 12/5 for anytime scorer in the final and 16/1 to net from outside the box.
Probable line-ups
Doron Leidner is set to miss out for Olympiacos, who have doubts over Francisco Ortega and Giulian Biancone. Riccardo Sottil's shoulder injury makes him a doubt for Fiorentina.
Olympiacos: Tzolakis, Quini, David Carmo, Rodinei, Retsos, Chiquinho, Fortounis, Iborra, Hezze, Podence, El Kaabi.
Fiorentina: Terracciano, Dodo, Biraghi, Milenkovic, Martinez Quarta, Arthur, Beltran, Gonzalez, Mandragora, Kouame, Belotti.
Anything else catch the eye?
Fiorentina are unbeaten in Europe this season but with Olympiacos so impressive against Aston Villa, I'm going to back them to lift the trophy on home soil at those odds of 11/10.
The Europa League Final was pretty feisty with seven yellows flashed in total. This showpiece could be pretty tasty as well and over 2.5 Fiorentina cards looks decent value at 5/4.
Panagiotis Retsos has amassed an incredible 16 yellows and two reds this term for Olympiacos, so it could pay to back him for a card once those prices are available. Bet365 do have a market on fouls and he's 5/6 for over 1.5 fouls.
Backing the half-time draw didn't pay off for me in the Europa League Final but it's always worth a punt in showpiece games and pays 21/20 here.
This UEFA Europa League Conference match between Olympiacos and Fiorentina will be played on May 29, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Olympiacos vs Fiorentina prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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