Fiorentina vs Cagliari

Fiorentina return home looking to get back on the right track against the struggling Cagliari at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Cagliari are at the bottom of the Serie A league table and almost could not find a manager to guide them this week. They could very well turn out to be just what the doctor ordered for a Firenze outfit who have not won a match in over a month.

At this time the side managed by Cesare Prandelli sit in 5^th place of Serie A with 25 points, 3 points back of 4^th place Udinese. Last week they were able to hold out for a 2-2 draw away to Sampdoria at the Luigi Ferraris at Marassi. Unfortunately for the purple side that result was the highlight of their last 5 matches which have seen them go winless. In fact, their last victory came back on the 31^st October. They did do well in the UEFA Cup this week as they disposed of Mlada Bolslav and will face Rosenborg in the Round of 16. On the injury front keeper Sebastian Frey remains sidelined while defender Gamberini looks set to return. Prandelli looks set to face the struggling side from Sardinia with a 4-3-3 featuring Adrian Mutu, Pazzini, and Santana upfront with Liverani pulling the strings from midfield. Lupatelli will once again spell Frey in goal while veteran Christian Vieri will start on the bench.

Cagliari are in loads of trouble as the season reaches the New Year’s break. They are in 20^th place out of 20 clubs with 10 points and sit just behind the equally inept Reggina on goal difference. They are coming off of a 0-2 loss at home to Inter Milan in their week 16 match. Following that result manager Nedo Sonetti decided to hand in his resignation just 5 matches after having taken over for Giampaolo. However, the board did not accept his resignation and he is back in charge of the club, reluctantly so. It’s hard to think that his next 5 matches in charge can be any worse as the club has obtained just 1 point over his first 5. Overall the club has lost 10 matches with 5 of those coming at home. To make matters worse, their top player Foggia has made it publicly known that he would like to be transferred. With that mindset Sonetti will ask him to start on the left flank of midfield in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Acqufresca as the lone striker.

It is not too difficult to see how this one should shape up. Fiorentina are hungry for a win to get them back on the right track while Cagliari have not won a match since September. Fiorentina are on paper the stronger squad while Cagliari are just plain awful this year. They were only worth watching for David Suazo over the past few years and he is now long gone.

Prediction: Fiorentina (2-0)