The two sides are not only locked in the battle for European positions, but they still have a chance to keep their Champions League hopes alive, so we can definitely expect plenty of fireworks when star-studded Fiorentina host high-flying Sampdoria at Artemio Franchi on Saturday afternoon.

Viola still competing on three fronts

This season did not have the best of starts for Fiorentina as Vincenzo Montella’s charges struggled with the busy schedule, but things eventually fell into place and Viola can now end the season in style. The Artemio Franchi outfit hammered Roma to reach the Europa League quarter-finals, while making it to the Coppa Italia semi-finals, where they defeated Juventus 2-1 in the first leg in Turin. And while the league campaign remains important, the coach could decide to rest some of his starters ahead of the return leg on Tuesday. Viola seriously improved their league position in the second part of the season, but it looks as though they won’t be able to mount a serious top 3 challenge, with 4-0 loss to Lazio virtually ending their Champions League hopes. Fiorentina do need to try and defeat top 5 rivals Sampdoria this weekend or risk missing out on Europe altogether and we can certainly expect the hosts to go all guns blazing from the start, although their weakened back line will have to be wary of the opposition counterattacks. Having conceded seven goals in last three league fixtures, we cannot really trust the hosts to keep a clean sheet against in-form Blucerchiati.

Josip Ilicic misses out through suspension, while Stefan Savic and Manuel Pasqual are unlikely to be risked. Giuseppe Rossi remains a long-term casualty.

Champions League dream lives on

It is hardly surprising that Sinisa Mihajlovic has become one of Europe’s most sought-after coaches, having led Sampdoria from the danger zone to the brink of Champions League positions. The Serbian did have a big help from chariman Massimo Ferrero, who helped lure Samuel Eto’o and Luis Muriel to the club, and the fact that the Blucerchiati currently occupy the fourth position in the Serie A standings speaks volumes about team’s performances this season. Sampdoria have been especially impressive of late, defeating Atalanta, Cagliari, Roma and Inter to close the gap behind Champions League places to mere four points and no doubt they will be feeling confident ahead of the clash with Fiorentina, a team that will not be fully focused on the match due to their Coppa Italia clash with Juventus. Sampdoria’s record of three straight clean sheets will be put to a test at Artemio Franchi, but their counterattacking style seems perfectly suited for the clash against Fiorentina, as the likes of Eto’o, Muriel and new Italy star Eder will have plenty of space to exploit behind enemy lines.

With Ezequiel Munoz and Stefano Okaka back to the side, Sinisa Mihajlovic will have all first team regulars at his disposal, with only back-ups Fabrizio Cacciatore and Alessandro De Vitis out injured.

Conclusion

Fiorentina are without a doubt one of the most entertaining sides in Italian Serie A and they can be trusted to attack Sampdoria from the off searching for a much needed win. However, the visitors can be very dangerous on the break and they are clearly in better form at the moment, so I can see them getting something from Artemio Franchi.

Top pick: Both teams to score   1.91 (10/11) @ Unibet

Alternative pick 1: Over 2.5 goals   1.98 (49/50) @ BetVictor

Alternative pick 2: Double chance on Sampdoria   2.15 (23/20) @ bet365