Preview: Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Fiorentina – prediction, team news, lineups & more related news here

starting his conference league In the round of 16 tie, Jagiellonia Bialystok and Fiorentina will meet in Poland in the first leg on Thursday.

After next week’s return, the overall winner will face Strasbourg or another Polish team, Rakow Czestochowa, in the round of 16.

Match preview

Having drawn 1-1 with Strasbourg and Shkendija on their trips, Jagiellonia ended their league campaign with a tense goalless draw at AZ Alkmaar, and that proved enough to qualify for the playoffs.

Early home wins against Hamrun Spartans and KuPS had put Adrian Siemieniec’s side in a strong position, before a 2-1 defeat to Rayo Vallecano left their progress in doubt.

Although he has never scored more than one goal in any of his six games, Jaga has proven difficult to beat: including qualifying, that home loss to Rayo is his only loss in a dozen European games this season.

The Bialystok club is currently enjoying the best run in its long history, having finally won its first league title in 2024 before reaching the quarter-finals of the Conference League last season.

Leading the way again in Poland EkstraklasaSaturday’s 0-0 draw against Krakow left them two points behind a crowded chasing group and with a game in hand.

Jaga will now face Italian opposition for the first time, aiming to gain an advantage for next week’s second leg at the Stadio Franchi.

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Compared to their hosts, Fiorentina have continental campaign experience and are unbeaten in their four previous visits to Poland.

After lifting the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1961, the Viola were also Conference League runners-up twice in the last three years.

However, unlike their recent trips, which ended in the semi-finals or final, the Tuscan club have struggled through the competition this season so far.

fighting in Series AThey started well enough in Europe, but consecutive defeats to Mainz and AEK Athens left them in trouble before a vital home win over Dynamo Kyiv.

Then, on the sixth and final matchday, Paolo Vanoli’s team was defeated by Lausanne, leaving them in 15th place in the standings and facing a difficult tie.

Back on the national stage, Fiorentina are still fighting for survival in the top flight and are now three points from safety.

Recently denied victory in extra time, Torino conquered Como last week, gaining quick revenge for being eliminated from the Coppa Italia.

Since arriving in November, Vanoli has certainly seen improvement, but his team remains fragile, having only kept one clean sheet in their last 20 Serie A games.

Form of the Jagiellonia Bialystok Conference League:

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Jagiellonia Bialystok form (all competitions):

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Fiorentina Conference League Form:

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Fiorentina form (all competitions):

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Team News

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Jagiellonia will be without two key players for the first leg, both due to suspension: star striker Afimico Pululu was sent off against AZ, while veteran captain Taras Romanczuk collected three yellow cards in the league phase.

Greek striker Dimitris Rallis could replace Pululu, and there are several candidates to replace Romanczuk in midfield.

On the other hand, Sergio Lozano and Dusan Stojinovic are expected to miss due to injury.

Excluding the qualifying phase, Jesús Imaz is the only Jaga player to have scored more than one goal in Europe this season, with two goals so far; Fiorentina’s top scorers Albert Gudmundsson and Cher Ndour also have two each.

Ndour missed last month’s defeat in Lausanne while serving a suspension, but could return to the starting lineup on Thursday, fielding a reshuffled lineup.

Since then, the likes of Edin Dzeko, Pablo Mari and Hans Nicolussi Caviglia have left, and new guys like Jack Harrison and Giovanni Fabbian have replaced them.

Due to injury, Daniele Rugani, another recent signing, and Gudmundsson will join the long-absent Tariq Lamptey in the team.

Vanoli prioritizes Serie A survival, so key men Moise Kean, David de Gea and Dodo stayed at home.

Possible starting lineup for Jagiellonia Bialystok:

Abramowicz; Wojtuszek, Vital, Pelmard, Wdowik; Mazurek, Drachal; Nahuel, Imaz, Pozo; rallies

Possible starting lineup for Fiorentina:

Lezzerini; Fortini, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Balbo; Mandrake, Ndour; Parisi, Fabbian, Harrison; Piccoli

We say: Jagiellonia Bialystok 2-1 Fiorentina

At home, Jagiellonia should be too strong for the unstable Fiorentina, as the Italian team has been below its best for several months.

While the Viola are missing several players and do not travel well, the Polish champions are difficult to beat in Bialystok, so they can claim an advantage in the first leg.

For a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, click here.