Fiorentina require fiery fightback against Sevilla at Artemio Franchi
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Fiorentina, 13/10 with Coral to win over 90 minutes, face an uphill struggle on home turf as they host swashbuckling Sevilla in their Europa League semi-final second leg.
The brilliant Bathtubs arrive at the Stadio Artemi Franchi having smashed Viola emphatically in Spain, and Vincenzo Montella’s men seem unlikely to be able to overhaul the 3-0 deficit.
Stranger things have, however, happened in football before, and Fiorentina can take inspiration from Bayern Munich’s impressive effort to claw their way back against Barcelona in the Champions League.
Victory for Viola (who are 14/1 to qualify for the final) would require the Italian outfit to score four or more without conceding, which they are 11/1 to do.
Three without reply would also be enough to take the tie to extra-time, which is what they should realistically aim for, yet the hosts are still missing sidelined Senegal striker Khouma Babacar.
In his absence, the Turin team will be relying on former Germany target man Mario Gomez, who opened the scoring against previous opponents Dynamo Kiev on Italian soil, and is 5/1 to strike first again.
In contention to support Gomez will be on-loan Egypt attacker Mohamed Salah (10/3 in the anytime market), who has hit eight across all competitions this term, Slovenia star Josip Ilicic (15/8), who bagged a brace last time out, and Spanish wingman Joaquin Sanchez Rodriguez (9/4).
Visitors and current Europa League holders Sevilla, however, are not set-up to sit back and defend. The high-flying Spanish side surely have both eyes on a second successive final and another continental crown, and are a tasty 2/1 to win this second-leg over 90 minutes.
A draw at 13/5 would also suit the Bathtubs, but Unai Emery’s men will surely want to seal their passage in style, so back both teams to score in both halves at a tempting 10/1 and expect goals galore.
Rampant wideman Vitolo and the electric Aleix Vidal, who bagged a brilliant brace in the reverse, were key in Sevilla’s 3-0 demolition job, so are are excellent respective prices at 11/4 to net anytime and 14/1 to grab the opener.
Fearsome forward threats Carlos Bacca and Kevin Gameiro are the Bathtubs’ top scorers with 28 La Liga goals between them, so are also worth backing, with both available at 2/1 in the anytime market.
