Fiorentina
BeneventoBy Dele Lawal — Football expert specializing in European and Russian competitions
Fiorentina enter their centenary season with a fixture that, on paper, looks tailor-made for a comfortable start. They face Benevento in the Coppa Italia’s round of 32 – a side from Serie B that has historically caused them little trouble. In the last four official meetings between the two clubs, Fiorentina have won three.
Fabio Grosso has spent the last two years building an attacking identity at Sassuolo, a club with far fewer resources than his current project. Now at Fiorentina, he is trying to replicate that philosophy on a bigger stage. During the summer friendly schedule, his new side won only three of six warm-up matches, but the quality of their performances improved steadily. The most encouraging display came in the final friendly against Deportivo La Coruña (1–1). Fiorentina dominated possession, moved the ball fluidly, pressed effectively, and gave the Spanish side almost nothing. The only blemish came late when reserve goalkeeper Christensen misjudged a free kick, leading to the equaliser.
Grosso frequently rotated his squad for Coppa Italia matches during his previous tenure, and that trend is expected to continue in Florence. However, the round of 32 can be seen as an extension of pre-season preparations – a first real test under competitive conditions. As a result, the manager is likely to field his strongest available XI on Friday. That means fans should see the Argentine wonderkid Franco Mastantuono, signed on loan from Real Madrid, starting on the right half‑space. The central midfield duo of Atta and Ulai, who effectively link defence and attack, will be the engine room of the new system. The only real concern for the hosts is a lack of defensive balance. Fiorentina have brought in several new defenders over the summer – Vieri, Drăgușin, Valdepeñas, Jiménez, and João Mário – yet they have kept only one clean sheet in their last four outings.
After returning to Serie B last season, Benevento aim to establish themselves in the second tier. Under manager Antonio Floro Flores, the team’s commitment to attacking football is every bit as strong as it was in the third division. Over the summer, the “Giallorossi” played five friendlies without a single defeat, scoring a combined total of 33 goals. Even if you discount the 22–0 demolition of amateur side Calvi, they scored at least twice in every other match.
Benevento began their Coppa Italia campaign with a preliminary round thriller against Serie C side Ravenna, winning 5–3. The most impressive aspect was their physical conditioning: trailing in the first half, they turned the match around after the break, netting three goals in the final 30 minutes without conceding. Expect Floro Flores to name almost the same starting XI, with two changes. Attacking midfielder Simone Verdi and left‑back Raffaele Romano made a strong impact after coming off the bench against Ravenna and have earned places ahead of Angelo Talia and Pietro Beruatto respectively.
Fiorentina (4-3-2-1): De Gea – Jiménez, Valdepeñas, Drăgușin, João Mário – Atta, Ulai, Ndour – Mastantuono, Gudmundsson – Kean
Unavailable: Parisi (injury)
Head coach: Fabio Grosso
Benevento (4-2-3-1): Esposito – Pierozzi, Sconamillo, Caldirola, Romano – Maita, Prisco – Lamesta, Verdi, Giuliano – Salvemini
Unavailable: Simonetti, Ricci (both injured)
Head coach: Antonio Floro Flores
Main prediction: Fiorentina to win with a handicap of -1.5 at odds of 1.84
Big clubs rarely bow out at the round of 32 stage of the Coppa Italia, and Fiorentina should be no exception. They have drawn a stylistically favourable opponent in Benevento, a team that – like Grosso’s side – prioritises attack. But the gulf in class between a Serie A outfit and a side fresh from promotion to Serie B is enormous. Fiorentina’s frontline – Mastantuono, Gudmundsson, and Moise Kean, one of the division’s most effective strikers – will be far too much for Benevento’s mediocre defenders to handle in an open game. Backing the hosts to cover the -1.5 handicap at 1.84 looks the clear play.
Prediction on total goals: Both teams to score at odds of 2.23
Fiorentina’s defence remains a work in progress. They have kept only one clean sheet in their last four matches. Benevento, meanwhile, scored in every summer friendly, including a 2–2 draw with Frosinone, a team preparing for a return to Serie A. Expect the visitors to find the net at the Stadio Franchi, making a bet on both teams to score – priced at 2.23 – a sensible secondary option.
The editorial prediction is provided for informational purposes only and should not be treated as a direct call to action. Every reader should do their own analysis before deciding on a bet.
Fiorentina4-3-2-1
Benevento4-2-3-1Benevento will score against Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia. That’s the bet at 1.97.
Fiorentina open their competitive season at home to Benevento in the Coppa Italia, and I see them starting with real attacking intent. The Viola should entertain the crowd with plenty of goals, so backing the hosts to score over 2.5 at 2.03 looks like a solid call.
Fiorentina and Benevento meet in the Coppa Italia, and this first half is not staying scoreless. I’m backing Over 1 goal before the break — a near lock at 1.58.
Fiorentina face Benevento in the Coppa Italia, and I see the total corners staying under 8.5. I'm backing the under here because I don't think Fiorentina will manage to take many corners. The odds at 1.90 make this a solid play for me.
Fiorentina simply shouldn't have many reasons to end up in the referee's notebook here. This cup tie against Benevento looks like one where the hosts stay calm and avoid unnecessary fouls, so I'm confident they'll finish with fewer than two yellow cards.
Fiorentina can wrap this one up without any fireworks. A controlled 2:0 against Benevento gets the job done, so backing the hosts to stay under 2.5 goals at 1.70 is the right call.
Fiorentina and Benevento meet in the Coppa Italia, and I'm backing the visitors to get on the scoresheet. Benevento have scored in each of their last three head-to-head matchups, regardless of the final outcome. At 2.01, that's a clear value play.
Fiorentina and Benevento face off in the Coppa Italia, and I'm betting the second half will be a low-scoring affair. My pick is under 1 goal in the second half, which offers a solid 3.40 return. I expect the pace to slow down significantly after the break, making it unlikely we'll see more than one goal.
Fiorentina and Benevento meet in the Coppa Italia, and I’m backing both teams to find the net. The odds of 2.18 make this a solid pick — I expect an open game with goals at both ends.
Fiorentina’s home games are never defensive affairs. With a strong attacking output at the Stadio Franchi, they consistently find the net, but their backline is a persistent liability — and that means goals at both ends against a dangerous Benevento attack. Historically, meetings between these two sides have been high-scoring, with each team averaging over 1.5 goals per game. The attacking quality is there, the defending isn’t. Over 2.5 goals at 1.61 looks like the clear play.
Fiorentina take on Benevento in the Coppa Italia, and I’m backing the Viola with a -1.5 handicap. They are simply a class above their opponents, and I expect a comfortable win by at least two goals. The 1.72 odds offer solid value for that outcome.
Fiorentina face a favorable matchup here, and I’m backing them to cover a -1.5 handicap. With Benevento as the opponent, the hosts should have little trouble winning by at least two goals. The odds of 1.72 offer solid value for a result that fits the form.
Fiorentina’s cup displays have been nothing special in recent years — no better than their league form, honestly. That’s exactly why I’m backing Benevento with a +1.5 handicap. At 2.04, the value is clear: the Viola aren’t about to suddenly shine in the Coppa Italia, so give me the visitors covering.
A clear favourite and a vulnerable opponent — this cup tie has all the ingredients for a Fiorentina win with goals at both ends. The gulf between Serie A and Serie B is obvious, and Benevento arrive with a long injury list: Romano, Shimenti, Simonetti, plus Tumminello suspended. Add in the fact that Fabio Grosso takes charge of his first official match and Fiorentina haven’t won the Coppa Italia in 25 years, and the hosts’ motivation is fully justified. They’ve also taken four of the last five head-to-head meetings.
That’s why over 3 goals at 1.93 is the call here. Benevento’s preliminary-round performance, a wild 5:3, shows they aren’t shy in attack, while Fiorentina’s recent matches have consistently gone over the total. If you want to stretch the odds instead, Fiorentina -1 and simply over 2.5 both offer logical value given the gap in class. A straight Fiorentina win is extremely safe, but the low price says more about how predictable this one looks to everyone else.
Fiorentina hosts Benevento in the Coppa Italia, and I’m backing the hosts to rack up over 5.5 corners. Given the gap in class and Fiorentina’s likely dominance from the start, they should be pushing forward consistently and forcing plenty of defensive clearances. The odds at 1.78 make this a solid play.
Fiorentina will breeze through this Coppa Italia fixture. I'm taking them with a -1.5 handicap at 1.72 – they won't face any real resistance.
I see value in the "Both Teams to Score" bet here. Fiorentina are the heavy favorites, which is fair, but Benevento should be able to find the back of the net. The odds of 2.15 are simply too high for an outcome that I believe is very realistic. I'm backing both sides to score.
Benevento will draw a blank against Fiorentina in this Coppa Italia fixture. The visitors are set to leave the pitch without a single goal, and the under 0.5 for the away side at 1.70 is exactly where I'm putting my faith.
Fiorentina take on Benevento in the Coppa Italia, and the handicap -1.5 at 1.75 is the right call. The hosts are simply the better team, and cup ties against weaker opposition usually end with a comfortable margin. I expect Fiorentina to win by at least two goals without much trouble.
Fiorentina -1.5 against Benevento is the play here. The gap in class is massive—Fiorentina are a Serie A side with European pedigree, while Benevento operate in Serie C. At the Franchi, Fiorentina will control the game from the opening minute, and with this being their first home match of the season, the intensity and attacking drive will be at maximum. Benevento’s defense simply isn’t equipped to handle the pace and technical ability of top-flight players. Fiorentina cruise into the next round, most likely by a 2-0 or 3-1 scoreline.
Benevento will find the net against Fiorentina in this Coppa Italia matchup. That's why I'm backing the visitors to score at least once at 1.96.
Fiorentina against a much lower-tier side in the Coppa Italia — on paper, this looks like a mismatch, but I’m not buying a clean sheet for the hosts. The Viola have a habit of conceding, even when they’re heavy favorites, and Benevento will be hungry to prove themselves in a cup setting.
At nearly 2.0, the odds on the visitors scoring at least once are too generous to ignore. Fiorentina’s defensive slip-ups are a recurring theme, and I expect Benevento to find the net.
Fiorentina’s current form makes the -1.5 handicap a very comfortable pick. I’m confident they’ll beat Benevento by at least two goals, and this bet should land without any drama.
Benevento aren't the type to just sit back and absorb pressure—they'll push forward and create chances. That's exactly why I'm backing both teams to find the net in this Coppa Italia clash. The odds at 2.15 make it a value play worth taking.
Fiorentina face Benevento in the Coppa Italia, and I see this turning into a one-sided affair. The gap in quality is too wide for the visitors to handle, especially with Fiorentina's attacking depth. A comfortable win with a multi-goal margin is the most likely outcome.
Given the mismatch, backing Fiorentina with a -1.5 handicap at 1.75 feels like the smart play. They should have no trouble covering that spread against a lower-tier opponent.
I'm backing Under 8.5 corners. These teams produce plenty of corner kicks.
Fiorentina against Benevento in the Coppa Italia—I'm backing both teams to score here. That's a solid play at 2.22 odds.
No matter how the match unfolds, Benevento will find the back of the net. They're capable of putting one past Fiorentina, and that's the key factor behind this bet. Simple as that.
Fiorentina and Benevento meet in the Coppa Italia, and I’m backing the second half to produce at least two goals. The Viola tend to step it up after the break, so I expect the scoring to pick up once we’re past halftime.
In the Coppa Italia clash against Benevento, I’m backing Fiorentina to win with a -1.5 handicap at 1.76. The home side had a disastrous league campaign, consistently underperforming, but this is a fresh start in a cup competition against a lower-tier opponent. I expect Fiorentina to assert their quality and cover the spread comfortably.
Benevento will score against Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia. That’s the bet at 1.97.
Fiorentina open their competitive season at home to Benevento in the Coppa Italia, and I see them starting with real attacking intent. The Viola should entertain the crowd with plenty of goals, so backing the hosts to score over 2.5 at 2.03 looks like a solid call.
Fiorentina and Benevento meet in the Coppa Italia, and this first half is not staying scoreless. I’m backing Over 1 goal before the break — a near lock at 1.58.
Fiorentina and Benevento meet in the Coppa Italia, and I'm backing the visitors to get on the scoresheet. Benevento have scored in each of their last three head-to-head matchups, regardless of the final outcome. At 2.01, that's a clear value play.
Fiorentina’s home games are never defensive affairs. With a strong attacking output at the Stadio Franchi, they consistently find the net, but their backline is a persistent liability — and that means goals at both ends against a dangerous Benevento attack. Historically, meetings between these two sides have been high-scoring, with each team averaging over 1.5 goals per game. The attacking quality is there, the defending isn’t. Over 2.5 goals at 1.61 looks like the clear play.
A clear favourite and a vulnerable opponent — this cup tie has all the ingredients for a Fiorentina win with goals at both ends. The gulf between Serie A and Serie B is obvious, and Benevento arrive with a long injury list: Romano, Shimenti, Simonetti, plus Tumminello suspended. Add in the fact that Fabio Grosso takes charge of his first official match and Fiorentina haven’t won the Coppa Italia in 25 years, and the hosts’ motivation is fully justified. They’ve also taken four of the last five head-to-head meetings.
That’s why over 3 goals at 1.93 is the call here. Benevento’s preliminary-round performance, a wild 5:3, shows they aren’t shy in attack, while Fiorentina’s recent matches have consistently gone over the total. If you want to stretch the odds instead, Fiorentina -1 and simply over 2.5 both offer logical value given the gap in class. A straight Fiorentina win is extremely safe, but the low price says more about how predictable this one looks to everyone else.
Fiorentina hosts Benevento in the Coppa Italia, and I’m backing the hosts to rack up over 5.5 corners. Given the gap in class and Fiorentina’s likely dominance from the start, they should be pushing forward consistently and forcing plenty of defensive clearances. The odds at 1.78 make this a solid play.
Benevento will find the net against Fiorentina in this Coppa Italia matchup. That's why I'm backing the visitors to score at least once at 1.96.
Fiorentina against a much lower-tier side in the Coppa Italia — on paper, this looks like a mismatch, but I’m not buying a clean sheet for the hosts. The Viola have a habit of conceding, even when they’re heavy favorites, and Benevento will be hungry to prove themselves in a cup setting.
At nearly 2.0, the odds on the visitors scoring at least once are too generous to ignore. Fiorentina’s defensive slip-ups are a recurring theme, and I expect Benevento to find the net.
Fiorentina and Benevento meet in the Coppa Italia, and I’m backing the second half to produce at least two goals. The Viola tend to step it up after the break, so I expect the scoring to pick up once we’re past halftime.
Fiorentina face Benevento in the Coppa Italia, and I see the total corners staying under 8.5. I'm backing the under here because I don't think Fiorentina will manage to take many corners. The odds at 1.90 make this a solid play for me.
Fiorentina can wrap this one up without any fireworks. A controlled 2:0 against Benevento gets the job done, so backing the hosts to stay under 2.5 goals at 1.70 is the right call.
Fiorentina and Benevento face off in the Coppa Italia, and I'm betting the second half will be a low-scoring affair. My pick is under 1 goal in the second half, which offers a solid 3.40 return. I expect the pace to slow down significantly after the break, making it unlikely we'll see more than one goal.
Benevento will draw a blank against Fiorentina in this Coppa Italia fixture. The visitors are set to leave the pitch without a single goal, and the under 0.5 for the away side at 1.70 is exactly where I'm putting my faith.
I'm backing Under 8.5 corners. These teams produce plenty of corner kicks.
Fiorentina take on Benevento in the Coppa Italia, and I’m backing the Viola with a -1.5 handicap. They are simply a class above their opponents, and I expect a comfortable win by at least two goals. The 1.72 odds offer solid value for that outcome.
Fiorentina face a favorable matchup here, and I’m backing them to cover a -1.5 handicap. With Benevento as the opponent, the hosts should have little trouble winning by at least two goals. The odds of 1.72 offer solid value for a result that fits the form.
Fiorentina’s cup displays have been nothing special in recent years — no better than their league form, honestly. That’s exactly why I’m backing Benevento with a +1.5 handicap. At 2.04, the value is clear: the Viola aren’t about to suddenly shine in the Coppa Italia, so give me the visitors covering.
Fiorentina will breeze through this Coppa Italia fixture. I'm taking them with a -1.5 handicap at 1.72 – they won't face any real resistance.
Fiorentina take on Benevento in the Coppa Italia, and the handicap -1.5 at 1.75 is the right call. The hosts are simply the better team, and cup ties against weaker opposition usually end with a comfortable margin. I expect Fiorentina to win by at least two goals without much trouble.
Fiorentina -1.5 against Benevento is the play here. The gap in class is massive—Fiorentina are a Serie A side with European pedigree, while Benevento operate in Serie C. At the Franchi, Fiorentina will control the game from the opening minute, and with this being their first home match of the season, the intensity and attacking drive will be at maximum. Benevento’s defense simply isn’t equipped to handle the pace and technical ability of top-flight players. Fiorentina cruise into the next round, most likely by a 2-0 or 3-1 scoreline.
Fiorentina’s current form makes the -1.5 handicap a very comfortable pick. I’m confident they’ll beat Benevento by at least two goals, and this bet should land without any drama.
Fiorentina face Benevento in the Coppa Italia, and I see this turning into a one-sided affair. The gap in quality is too wide for the visitors to handle, especially with Fiorentina's attacking depth. A comfortable win with a multi-goal margin is the most likely outcome.
Given the mismatch, backing Fiorentina with a -1.5 handicap at 1.75 feels like the smart play. They should have no trouble covering that spread against a lower-tier opponent.
In the Coppa Italia clash against Benevento, I’m backing Fiorentina to win with a -1.5 handicap at 1.76. The home side had a disastrous league campaign, consistently underperforming, but this is a fresh start in a cup competition against a lower-tier opponent. I expect Fiorentina to assert their quality and cover the spread comfortably.
Fiorentina and Benevento meet in the Coppa Italia, and I’m backing both teams to find the net. The odds of 2.18 make this a solid pick — I expect an open game with goals at both ends.
I see value in the "Both Teams to Score" bet here. Fiorentina are the heavy favorites, which is fair, but Benevento should be able to find the back of the net. The odds of 2.15 are simply too high for an outcome that I believe is very realistic. I'm backing both sides to score.
Benevento aren't the type to just sit back and absorb pressure—they'll push forward and create chances. That's exactly why I'm backing both teams to find the net in this Coppa Italia clash. The odds at 2.15 make it a value play worth taking.
Fiorentina against Benevento in the Coppa Italia—I'm backing both teams to score here. That's a solid play at 2.22 odds.
No matter how the match unfolds, Benevento will find the back of the net. They're capable of putting one past Fiorentina, and that's the key factor behind this bet. Simple as that.
Fiorentina simply shouldn't have many reasons to end up in the referee's notebook here. This cup tie against Benevento looks like one where the hosts stay calm and avoid unnecessary fouls, so I'm confident they'll finish with fewer than two yellow cards.
The match is on August 14, 2026, at 20:15 local time, at the Stadio Franchi in Florence.
The main prediction is Fiorentina to win with a handicap of -1.5 at odds of 1.84.
Fiorentina are the clear favorites, as they are a Serie A side facing Benevento, a team recently promoted to Serie B, and have historically won three of their last four meetings.
Fiorentina won only three of six summer friendlies but improved steadily, while Benevento went unbeaten in five friendlies, scoring 33 goals, and won their Coppa Italia preliminary round 5-3.
Fiorentina will be without defender Parisi due to injury, and Benevento are missing midfielders Simonetti and Ricci, both injured.
Fiorentina's predicted lineup is De Gea; Jiménez, Valdepeñas, Drăgușin, João Mário; Atta, Ulai, Ndour; Mastantuono, Gudmundsson; Kean in a 4-3-2-1 formation.