UEFA Conference League Final buildup: Fiorentina vs West Ham United

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West Ham United and Fiorentina will face off tonight at the Eden Arena in Prague, with both teams looking for their first European success in decades.

West Ham’s semi-final exit in the UEFA Europa League last season has not deterred David Moyes’ side from pushing in European competition, with the Conference League final their first appearance in a European Final since 1976, ending as runners-up to Belgian side Anderlecht.

Their form in the Premier League has taken a serious downturn this season, with the Hammers failing to find a consistent run of form. They ended in 14th place after nearing a relegation battle with the most worrying aspect of their season being their defensive strength. West Ham lost 20 out of their 38 league games, winning just 11 all season.

Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen’s inconsistent form and injury struggles left the Hammers with considerably less ammunition up front with Lucas Paqueta, Said Benrahma and big money signings Danny Ings and Gianluca Scamacca failing to provide any sort of meaningful output.

In their last five games they have lost three, including a final day 2-1 defeat to relegated Leicester City.  This final is arguably David Moyes most important game in his managerial career with many of the squad also making their first ever appearance in a final.

Fiorentina ended in 8th position in Serie A, one position worse off than their 7th place finish last season.  La Viola have managed a more consistent season than West Ham but will still not be pleased with their overall performance especially if they fail to come away with the Conference League Trophy.

Their last European final came in 1990 where they came runners-up to Italian rivals Juventus.

In their last five games they have only lost one match, a 2-1 loss to UEFA Champions League Finalists Inter Milan in May.  Since they have won three in a row including a final day victory over Sassuolo.

Fiorentina will look to succeed Jose Mourinho’s Roma last season with a victory ensuring the trophy remains on Italian soil for another year.

The bookies believe this is an evenly matched fixture with Betway having equal odds of 2.70 for a West Ham win or Fiorentina win while Sportingbet slightly favour the Italians with odds of 2.75 for a Fiorentina victory while a West Ham win has odds of 2.70.

In what is set to be a historical fixture regardless of the result, Fiorentina and West Ham will both need to be at their best if they are to take home the UEFA Conference League Trophy.

Photo: twitter @WSS_SMG

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Dylan Johnson