Arsenal legend Paul Merson has expressed his disappointment with UEFA’s choice of venue for the Europa Conference League final, the Fortuna Arena in Prague, which only has a capacity of 19,370. This is less than 18 of the 20 current Premier League grounds and less than half as big as Fiorentina’s Stadio Artemio Franchi and less than three times the size of West Ham’s London Stadium. Merson told Sportskeeda: ‘The venue is an absolute disgrace – it can take only twenty thousand people. You’re trying to make it a good competition, but where are you hosting the final? These are two clubs with huge fanbases. You’d think they make an effort, but then they go ahead and do this.’
West Ham face Fiorentina on Wednesday night with the Irons hoping to win their first major trophy in 43 years and qualify for next season’s Europa League. Though much newer and less prestigious than the Champions League and Europa League, it is not a good look for the Conference League nor UEFA as Merson attests to. The Italian side are the favourites having finished a decent eighth in Serie A while David Moyes’ side slumbered to 14th in the Premier League, scoring 16 points fewer than their Italian counterparts. However, Merson is backing the English team to narrowly win, adding: ‘This is a tough game to call. I think whoever scores the first goal wins this game. If Michail Antonio gets going in this game, I don’t think Fiorentina can live with him. There aren’t many players with his pace and strength in the Serie A. If he gets going, he can be a handful, and we’ve seen glimpses of that this season. West Ham have got very good players in their ranks and need to perform. Declan Rice has been playing so well this season and could be the difference between the two teams. It only takes one lapse to fall behind. If both teams play at their best, I think West Ham have the upper hand, and I’m going to back them to win this game.’ Merson’s prediction: Fiorentina 1-2 West Ham United.