The Matchday 2 encounter of the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League group stage between Rapid (Austria) and Fiorentina (Italy) will be held on October 23 at the Allianz Stadium in Vienna. Rapid vs. Fiorentina: prediction and statistics.
Rapid
Peter Stöger's side suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat away to Lech in the first round. This loss was only Rapid's second in their last seven UEFA Conference League matches (3 wins, 2 draws). It was also the first time the team lost by more than two goals in this European competition. Nevertheless, the club has extended its scoring streak in the Conference League to 17 matches. The Austrians are currently 32nd in the standings.
- Both teams scored in 5 of Rapid's last 7 home matches in the Conference League.
- The club's players have scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 7 of their last 9 home games in this competition.
- The Austrians led at halftime in 7 of their last 9 home matches in the Conference League.
Predicted lineup for Rapid (4-3-3)
Niklas Hedl – Bendeguz Bolla, Nenad Cvetkovic, Anže Ačusu, Jannes Horn – Aman Romeo, Tobias Gulliksen, Lukas Grgic – Nikolaus Wurmbrand, Klodi Mbuji, Andrija Radulovic.
Fiorentina
In the first round, Stefano Pioli's team comfortably defeated Sigma 2-0 at home. As a result, Fiorentina has now won four consecutive matches in the UEFA Conference League, marking their longest winning streak in this European competition over the past three seasons. Additionally, the team has kept a clean sheet for only the second time in their last nine Conference League matches. The Italians are currently ninth in the standings.
- The club has not won in 7 of their last 10 away matches in the Conference League (4 draws, 3 losses).
- At least three goals have been scored in 6 of Fiorentina's last 7 away matches in this competition.
- The Italians have scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 6 of their last 8 away matches in the Conference League.
Predicted lineup for Fiorentina (3-5-2)
David De Gea – Pablo Marí, Marin Pongračić, Luca Ranieri – Dodo, Cher Ndour, Rolando Mandragora, Nicolo Fagioli, Robin Gosens – Roberto Piccoli, Edin Džeko.
Defender Tariq Lamptey and forward Christian Kouamé will miss the match due to injuries.
Referee
Yigal Fried (England)
Matches – 5 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 23;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.6;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 20;
Penalties – 20%.
Rapid vs. Fiorentina: Match Prediction
In this matchup, I anticipate seeing high-scoring football – both teams employ an attacking style and do not excel in defensive actions. Rapid has scored in their last nine home matches in the Conference League, netting eight times in just their last three home games in this competition. However, in their last five home matches in the Conference League, the Austrians have kept a clean sheet only once, conceding a total of seven goals.
Fiorentina consistently finds the net even on the road: their current scoring streak away in the Conference League stands at nine matches, and in four instances during this period, the team scored at least two goals. At the same time, they've managed to keep a clean sheet only once in this span, with at least two goals being conceded in four matches.
My prediction: Total over 2.5 goals
* The starting lineup for each team is based on their last match in this competition.
