Fiorentina vs Sassuolo preview

May 5, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Fiorentina vs SassuoloAfter losing the Coppa Italia final to Napoli, Fiorentina will attempt to end the season on a high and cement the fourth place in the standings.

Meanwhile, Sassuolo would seriously improve their survival chances if they avoid defeat at Artemio Franchi, and that should be enough incentive for Neroverdi to give their best.

Everybody at the club was hoping the Coppa Italia title would turn this season into a success, but Viola fell at the final hurdle, losing the final to Napoli.

Fiorentina did enter the game with a number of star players missing while the unexpected delay certainly did not help, but the reality is Viola have failed to achieve their pre-season ambitions.

The only positive at Stadio Olimpico was the long-awaited return of star forward Giuseppe Rossi, who has given Italy boss Cesare Prandelli a major boost ahead of naming his World Cup squad.

Fiorentina have no choice but to try and make amends by defeating Sassuolo on Tuesday, with home win paying 1.57 (4/7).

Key midfielder Juan Cuadrado returns from suspension, while Giuseppe Rossi will again have to settle for a place on the bench.

Alessandro Matri is expected to start up front, but fellow forwards Mario Gomez and Ante Rebic remain on the sidelines.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Neto – Tomovic, Rodriguez, Savic, Pasqual – Aquilani, Pizarro, Valero – Cuadrado, Matri, Ilicic.

With three games to go, Sassuolo sit one point behind safety, but they have a game in hand on Bologna, meaning they still hold matters in their own hands.

Neroverdi missed the first opportunity to escape the bottom three as they couldn’t hold on to a one-goal lead against holders Juventus, and the match at Artemio Franchi is unlikely to be any easier.

Eusebio Di Francesco’s men though have reason for optimism, having defeated Atalanta and Chievo in their last two away matches, but there is a reason why they are 6.50 (11/2) to win in Florence.

The good news is injury situation is improving, and Sassuolo indeed have plenty of quality players up front to hurt under-pressure Fiorentina.

Davide Biondini returns from suspension, whilst Matteo Brighi, Luca Marrone and Lorenzo Ariaudo have resumed full training.

Francesco Magnanelli is banned, whereas Francesco Acerbi, Marius Alexe, Thomas Manfredini and Paolo Bianco are out injured.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Pegolo – Gazzola, Antei, Cannavaro, Longhi – Biondini, Brighi, Missiroli – Sansone, Zaza, Berardi.

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