Fiorentina vs Raków: prediction, head-to-head and probable line-ups – 12 March 2026
One of the Conference League round of 16 clashes will take place on Thursday at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, where Italian side Fiorentina will host Poland’s Raków. Let’s break down the possible outcome of this intriguing encounter, as the troubled Viola look to overcome one of the biggest revelations of this year’s tournament.
Match preview
Fiorentina are once again enduring a difficult stretch this season. After a four-game unbeaten run in early February, Paolo Vanoli’s side lost their stability – three consecutive matches without a win, including a painful defeat to Jagiellonia (2-4 after extra time) in the Conference League play-off second leg. In their most recent Serie A outing, the Florentines also failed to deliver, settling for a goalless draw with Parma.
Personnel issues only add to their woes. Centre-back Marin Pongracic will miss the game through suspension, while Moise Kean remains a doubt after picking up a knock. On top of that, the Viola’s attack is in a slump – they have failed to score in their last two matches, despite creating a decent number of chances.
Raków, meanwhile, are gradually hitting their stride after the winter break. The year started shakily – just one win in their first five official matches. However, recent results have been encouraging: Łukasz Tomczyk’s men beat Avia (2-1) in the Polish Cup and looked solid in a 2-0 win over Pogoń in the Ekstraklasa.
On the European stage, Raków have become one of the tournament’s biggest surprises. The Polish club finished second in the Conference League group stage, earning direct passage to the knockout rounds. They’ve been especially disciplined on the road: in three away games in the competition, they’ve conceded just once, favoring a cautious and compact tactical approach.
Probable line-ups
- Fiorentina: Lezzerini, Ranieri, Comuzzo, Gosens, Fortini, N'Dour, Mandragora, Fazzini, Dodô, Piccoli, Fabbian
- Raków: Zych, Tudor, Racovitan, Mosór, Struski, Repka, Ameyaw, Carlos, Makuch, López, Braut Brunes
Match facts and head-to-head
- Fiorentina have failed to win seven of their last ten matches in all competitions.
- Raków have lost only two of their last twelve games.
- In four of Fiorentina’s last five matches and four of Raków’s last six, at least one team failed to score.
Prediction
The first leg promises to be a cautious, tactical affair. Fiorentina are struggling to convert chances and face significant absences in attack, while Raków traditionally rely on tight defensive organization and discipline in away European fixtures. In these circumstances, we can expect a game with few clear-cut chances, and the tie will likely be decided in the return leg.
