CONFERENCE LEAGUE BETTING PREVIEW - FIORENTINA VS CRYSTAL PALACE

Conference League

2026-04-16 - Fiorentina vs Crystal Palace

A Sports Betting Preview by Auls

Fiorentina v Crystal Palace
Football: UEFA Conference League Quarter Final Second Leg
Thursday 16th April 2026 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV

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Fiorentina

They had been completely outplayed, but just when it looked like Fiorentina would at least get this Quarter Final tie back at home with 'only' a two goal deficit to deal with, the side conceded injury time to fall to a 3-0 defeat. It is a goal that has given Fiorentina a mountain to climb and having had a day less to recover and prepare than the opponent heading to Florence this Thursday.

On Monday night, Fiorentina were able to beat Lazio 1-0 here and that means they have opened up an 8 point gap to the bottom three in Serie A. In normal circumstances, the fans could have been looking forward to a strong run to end the season in the Conference League, but the Quarter Final First Leg defeat has put Fiorentina in a very difficult position. They have won 3 of the 5 home Conference League games played this season, but the exceptions have both ended in Fiorentina defeats.

Fiorentina have lost 1 of the last 8 games in all competitions and that has included big domestic results to ease any lingering relegation concerns. Earning a fifth straight campaign in European Football looks unlikely unless Fiorentina can produce a big performance in this Conference League Second Leg, but they have only won 3 of the last 10 home fixtures in all competitions.

The game against Lazio was important to Fiorentina and so a strong team was selected for the 1-0 victory on Monday.

Crystal Palace

Everyone knows Oliver Glasner is leaving Selhurst Park at the end of the season and there is no doubt that Jean-Philippe Mateta would have departed in the January window if not for a persistent knee injury. Both have had some issues with the supporters since the announcements were made, but Mateta's goals and Crystal Palace's improved performances and results means everyone is on the same page.

There is an outside chance that a strong end to the Premier League season may result in Crystal Palace getting into the Champions League next season, but the focus has long been on winning the Conference League. The manager has continued to pick strong teams for both domestic and European matches and Crystal Palace have been effective away from home in this competition where they have won 2 and lost once in 5 Conference League games on their travels.

Crystal Palace have lost 1 of the last 10 games in all competitions and came from behind to beat Newcastle United on Sunday to continue the recent positive momentum. The Eagles have won consecutive fixtures since returning from the March international break, while they have won 2 of the last 5 away games in all competitions in normal time. Crystal Palace have only been beaten in 1 of the last 6 on their travels and even that was after leading at Old Trafford before being reduced to ten men.

Evann Guessand and Cheick Doucoure are doubts for this Second Leg. The likes of Adam Wharton, Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta are hoping to be restored to the starting lineup for this fixture.

Head to Head

This is the first competitive meeting between these clubs hosted by Fiorentina.

Prediction

A first half Penalty gave Crystal Palace the momentum to overwhelm Fiorentina in the First Leg of this Conference League Quarter Final and the English Premier League club look certain to progress.

It has been a season in which Crystal Palace have not always found it easy in the Conference League, but facing an opponent from one of the big European Leagues may have helped.

Unlike many, Fiorentina would have come into the tie with a positive outlook and would have expected to win- this may not have been the case for recent Crystal Palace opponents in Zrinjski and AEK Larnaca who were happy to sit back and frustrate the English club and try and exploit them on the counter attack.

With the lead from the First Leg, this Second Leg feels like it could be played exactly how Crystal Palace would like it.

Fiorentina have been playing with more confidence recently as they have dragged themselves away from the relegation zone in Serie A, but there is a real onus on them to get forward and try and force their way back into this Quarter Final.

Scoring first is key, but the third goal conceded in injury time in South London last week means Fiorentina likely have to push forward pretty quickly. Patience is important, but a first half goals feels more important and that could allow Crystal Palace to approach this as they would like with the team springing out on the counter through pacy attacking players.

Jean-Philippe Mateta may have been playing Italian opposition regularly if his knee had been stronger with that being the reason he is not operating in a Milan shirt rather than Crystal Palace. It has perhaps taken him a bit of time to just move past that problem in January, but three goals since the March international break suggests he is back in some kind of positive frame of mind and his finishing is key.

There is a World Cup squad to reach and Mateta will lead the Crystal Palace line with strong support from the likes of Ismaila Sarr. Evann Guessand may be missing, but Brennan Johnson has a Europa League winning goal on his CV and can be a solid enough replacement to help Crystal Palace perhaps do enough to earn a Second Leg win here.

If the home team have to take attacking risks, Crystal Palace can exploit them at a big price as they have been able to do in England to opponents under Oliver Glasner. The manager has won a Europa League title and has experience and that can just aid The Eagles to another victory over Fiorentina after the strong First Leg efforts.

The Pick :

Fiorentina 1-2 Crystal Palace

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Crystal Palace to Win at 2.75 with Bet365 (early payout if a team is leading by two goals)