Fiorentina need to come out on top against Portuguese outfit Belenenses if they wish to reach the knockout stages of the Europa League.

La Viola had no problems last time

The last time the two sides met on match day four, Fiorentina comfortably brushed Belenenses aside 4-0. Goals from Fede Bernardeschi, Khouma Babacar and Giuseppe Rossi were added to with a Belenenses own goal.

While it has been pretty plain sailing for Fiorentina on the domestic front, the club have somewhat failed to recapture this form in Europe as they have two defeats to their one of which coming against Lech Poznan, who could overtake Fiorentina if they are to see of group leaders Basel - who beat Fiorentina on the first game of the group stage - and Fiorentina fail to win.

The Stadio Artemi Franchi club have won three of their last five games on the domestic front and will carry the momentum of a 3-0 victory over Udinese into Thursday evening's game.

Visitors in poor form

The Liga NOS club are coming into the game with just one victory in their last five and on a three game losing streak. They sit slumped in 13th a fair bit off last seasons spectacular 6th placed finish.

They come into this fixture knowing that if they win and the other result goes their way that they will infact progress at Fiorentina's expense. 

Almost full squads available for both 

Fiorentina's Facundo Roncaglia misses out through suspension while Belenenses will continue to be without centre half Palmeira who has been injured since the summer.

Fiorentina Predicted Starting XI: Tatarusanu - Rodriguez, Astori, Tomovic - Marcos Alonso, Badelj, Vecino, Borja Valero, Bernardeschi - Babacar, Kalinic

Belenenses Predicted Starting XI: Ventura - Ferreira, Brandao, Tonel, Geraldes - Ricardo, Pinto - Kuca, Carlos Martins, Sturgeon - Leal

Kalinic likely to score 

Fiorentina Key Player - Nikola Kalinic - A runner up in last years Europa League with Dnipro Dninpropetrovsk, Kalinic is the clubs top scorer and has a goal and an assist in three games in Europe this term. In his last five starts he has hit the net on four occasions. With Belenenses needing a victory to keep their European run going, its likely that they will pile players forward and Kalinic should be able to take advantage of this especially on the counter.

Belenenses Key Player - Carlos Martins - The former Sporting Lisbon and Benfica attacking midfielder will be key to any success the club have. This term the 33-year-old has three goals and four assists and if attacks are not ran through him it'll be the wingers Kuca and Sturgeon who are both dangerous and could potentially cause problems for the three man defence of Fiorentina.

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About the author
Cammy Anderson
Calcio-editor-in-chief Email: [email protected]