Fiorentina vs Benevento Prediction & Betting Tips (14 August)

Fiorentina open their 2026/2027 Coppa Italia campaign on Friday, August 14, 2026, when they welcome Serie B side Benevento to the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:15 UK time as Fabio Grosso's side look to erase the memory of last season's early cup exit at home to Como. Benevento, coached by Antonio Floro Flores, arrive in Tuscany after negotiating the preliminary round with a thrilling 5-3 victory over Ravenna Calcio, but they face a significant step up in class against a Viola outfit determined to make a deep run in this season's competition.

Fiorentina's form heading into the new season was mixed during the closing weeks of the 2025/26 Serie A campaign. They shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Atalanta at home on May 22, followed by a hard-fought 0-2 away victory over Juventus on May 17 where they played the majority of the second half with ten men. Their final league outing produced a 0-0 stalemate against Genoa on May 10, meaning they went unbeaten in their last three competitive fixtures. Benevento, meanwhile, have already tasted cup action this term and will look to build on their attacking display against Ravenna, though history favours the hosts with Fiorentina winning four of the last five meetings between the two clubs.

For the 2026/2027 season, Fiorentina boast a significantly strengthened squad under Grosso. The summer transfer window saw several key arrivals including centre-back Radu Drăgușin on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, Portuguese full-back João Mário from Juventus, and Argentine teenage sensation Franco Mastantuono on loan from Real Madrid. In midfield, Arthur Atta joined from Udinese for €25 million and Christ Inao Oulaï was signed from Trabzonspor, while David de Gea remains between the posts and attacking options include Moise Kean, Albert Guðmundsson, and Roberto Piccoli. Benevento's squad features experienced heads such as defender Luca Caldirola, midfielder Mattia Maita, and forwards Francesco Salvemini and Marco Tumminello, but they remain heavy underdogs against a Viola side whose squad depth and quality far exceed their own.

The European betting markets reflect Fiorentina's overwhelming favouritism for this first-round tie, with the hosts priced at 1.27 to win inside ninety minutes, the draw available at 4.75, and a Benevento shock quoted at 13.00. The Over 2.5 goals market sits at 1.70 while Under 2.5 is offered at 2.10, suggesting bookmakers expect the hosts to find the net multiple times against lower-league opposition. Given Fiorentina's superior firepower, home advantage, and determination to avoid another early cup disappointment, our prediction is a comfortable 3-0 victory for the Viola as they advance to the next round of the Coppa Ita