UEFA Cup
2008-05-01 - Fiorentina vs Glasgow Rangers
A Sports Betting Pick by Simon
Europe - UEFA Cup
Thursday 1st May 2008 - KO 19:45
First Leg Drawn 0-0
Depleted Rangers Likely to Play Ugly Again in Florence
Rangers and Fiorentina are perfectly balanced for the second leg in Florence after a goalless tie in Glasgow.
Fiorentina’s star-striker, Adrian Mutu, described Rangers’ first leg performance at Ibrox as ‘ugly’ football.
The Romanian was surprised by the SPL side’s lack of ambition, but Walter Smith clearly placed a premium on taking a clean sheet to the second leg in Italy.
Rangers have suffered from a punishing schedule, having already played well over 50 games, and are struggling with several injuries.
David Weir is now added to the growing casualty list after Sunday’s Old Firm defeat, the second loss to Celtic within ten days.
Rangers are now five points behind their city rivals in the title race, but still have three games in hand.
On the plus side for Rangers, Barry Ferguson returns for the game at the Stadio Artemio Franchi having sat out the first leg through suspension.
Fiorentina drew 2-2 on Sunday, at home to Sampdoria, allowing AC Milan to close within two points on the Champions League berth they currently hold.
Cesare Prandelli’s side will have to try to block that out, as their season reaches a knife-edge; La Viola could qualify for the Champions League and reach the UEFA Cup final, or face the misery of missing out on both.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Viola defeated Rangers home and away to claim their only previous European trophy – it was ancient history in the 1960/61 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup - so now much use as a forecast.
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Rangers have played 22 games against Italian opposition in UEFA club competition and their record reads W6 D4 L12.
At home they have won five, drawn three and lost three, but in Italy it has not been good news as Rangers have won one, drawn one and lost nine.
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Fiorentina have now played five games against Scottish sides. Besides their May 1961 meetings with Rangers, they took on Celtic in the 1969/70 European Cup quarter-finals and bowed out after losing 3-0 in Glasgow, then winning 1-0 in Italy.
BOOKMAKERS VIEW
PinnacleSports.com price Fiorentina favourites to make the final @ 1.535 with Rangers the outsiders at 2.770.
THE VERDICT
Fiorentina had the better of the first match, and now that they have the advantage of a home crowd the Italian side should be too strong for a Rangers team that looks to have been broken by such an extended season.
Mind you Rangers have proved in the previous rounds that they're masters of defending the 0-0 draw, so they will travel with some hope.
The Pick :
Fiorentina 2-0 Rangers
