Borussia Monchengladbach vs Fiorentina
UEFA Europa League – Round of 32, 1st leg
Date: Thursday, 16th February 2017
Kick-Off at 18:00 UK / 19:00 CET
Venue: Borussia-Park, Monchengladbach.
Gladbach are another team that have to deal with dropping down a competition after they could not qualify from a really tough group in the Champions League. Up against Fiorentina, things will not be easy either as the Italian side are doing decently in Serie A.
Gladbach had to battle it out with Barcelona and Manchester City in the Champions League, so looking at those top two options it is unsurprising the Germans ended in third ahead of Celtic. What will be a little frustrating though for Gladbach is that City were not even that good in the group, they finished only four points ahead of the Germans and if a few results had gone their way this would be a very different prospect. Gladbach now have to wrap their heads around an Italian side that was fully in control of their group coming in tops ahead of PAOK and Qarabag.
Fiorentina have been doing pretty well in a competitive Serie A and will be looking at their fixture with the Germans as challenging, but one that they could win seeing as in the Europa Group stages they only lost once. Fiorentina will hope that their goal scoring form does not deserted them as they managed 15 goals in the group stages and against a German side their best bet is full out attack.
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Fiorentina: Group stage form
Topping group J in the Europa League was a bit of a challenge for the Italians as it was only one win that saw them go ahead of PAOK and then another win on top of that to see off Qarabag, but their 15 goals, and six conceded, is what did it for them.
Gladbach were always expected to come in third at best against Barcelona and City. They did only win one game though which was poor, but in saying that City won just two. Their issue was defence as they scored five goals and conceded 12.
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Fiorentina: Head-to-head stats
This is the first ever meeting between Borussia Monchengladbach and Fiorentina in a UEFA competition.
Borussia Monchengladbach’s record against Serie A teams is 4 wins, 7 draws and 3 losses from 14 matches. They are unbeaten at home with 2 wins and 5 draws. Their most recent Italian opposition was Juventus, during the group stage of 2015/16 Champions League. And both fixtures end in stalemates.
Fiorentina have a poor record against Bundesliga teams as they managed just 2 wins from 10 matches, with 3 draws and 5 losses. The Viola are win-less in away trips to Germany and lost 4 of the 5 games during the period.
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Fiorentina: Prediction
Borussia Monchengladbach were struggling during the first half of the season. But they are playing some exciting football under the management of new head-coach Dieter Hecking, who replaced Andre Schubert on December 2016. Gladbach are unbeaten in the calendar year 2017, picking up 4 wins and 1 draw from their 5 matches.
Fiorentina seem to be doing well in Serie A if you take a look at the overall stats. Their 8 fixtures in 2017 produced 5 wins and a draw, while lost in 2. But, their recent away form is nothing to write about as they lost in 4 of the last 6. Also, they have a poor record against Bundesliga sides while playing in Germany. Therefore, the Borussians look good for a win and they must get this quite comfortably.
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Fiorentina: Bet Tips
FT – Monchengladbach to win at 8/7 (2.15)
Any-time goal scorer: Lars Stindl of Monchengladbach at 9/4 (3.25).
