Fiorentina vs Roma preview

March 11, 2015
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

FIorentina vs RomaThe weekend’s 4-0 loss to Lazio should give Fiorentina players an extra incentive to prove their worth in the first leg of the all-Italian Europa League tie against Roma.

Meanwhile, the Giallorossi recorded fourth straight draw in Serie A, meaning they, too, will have a lot to prove at Artemio Franchi.

Fiorentina are widely regarded as one of Italy’s most exciting sides and this is especially true since Vincenzo Montella took over the reigns.

Viola have now finished just behind Champions League positions two times in a row and they are desperate to finally secure a top 3 finish this term.

But, while they seriously improved their chances with a good run of results, Fiorentina suffered an embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Lazio on Monday that has got to be considered a serious blow.

This means the hosts will be even more determined to pour more misery on league rivals AS Roma, so bear in mind that home win pays 2.45 (29/20).

Vincenzo Montella is sweating over the fitness of Mario Gomez and Stefan Savic, but Khouma Babacar should be fit to play.

January recruits Alessandro Diamanti and Alberto Gilardino are both ineligible, while Giuseppe Rossi and Ciprian Tatarusanu remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Neto – Richards, Rodriguez, Basanta, Alonso – Valero, Pizarro, Fernandez – Joaquin, Ilicic, Salah.

What looked like a very promising season is quickly turning into a major disappointment for Roma, who are already out of Coppa Italia as well as Serie A title chase.

The Giallorossi may be unbeaten in last 16 league fixtures, but having only won one of last nine, it is hardly surprising their title bid is effectively over.

After enjoying a hard-fought triumph over Feyenoord in the Europa League first knockout stage, Roma have been pitted against league rivals Fiorentina in the last 16 stage.

And seeing as it was Viola who knocked them out of Coppa Italia, the Giallorossi are 3.40 (12/5) to get revenge by winning at Artemio Franchi.

The latest reports suggest captain Francesco Totti will miss the Fiorentina clash through a thigh problem, meaning Adem Ljajic is expected to act as a false nine.

Meanwhile, the likes of Kevin Strootman, Douglas Maicon, Federico Balzaretti, Victor Ibarbo and Leandro Castan remain unavailable.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Skorupski – Torosidis, Manolas, Yanga-Mbiwa, Holebas – Keita, De Rossi, Pjanic – Iturbe, Ljajic, Gervinho.

We Highly Recommend These Places
Share your Opinion!