Fiorentina vs Livorno

Fiorentina are home in week 25 to host Livorno at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in a match up between clubs that are coming off of losing efforts in week 24. The results obtained last week costs both sides dearly in the Serie A league table.

With their loss away to AS Roma the side managed by Cesare Prandelli have now dropped out of the top 4 of the league table and now sit in 5^th place with 41 points. This leaves them just behind 4^th place AC Milan on goal difference and 5 points up on 6^th place Udinese. The viola are currently going through a very tough stretch of their fixture list which has seen them lose 2 of their last 4 matches with the other loss coming against AC Milan. There is some harsh news for Fiorentina this week on the injury front as their talented striker Adrian Mutu of Romania will be out of action for about 4 weeks after picking up a knock in the match against Roma. Out suspended for this match is Christian Vieri but Prandelli looks to maintain the 4-3-3 with Semioli, Pazzini and Santana in attack.

Livorno suffered a real setback at home in week 24 as they lost to a struggling Napoli outfit by a score of 1-2 at the Stadio Armando Picchi. It was a particularly stinging loss for Livorno given that Napoli’s match winner was scored late in the contest. They have just 2 points to show from their last 5 matches. The loss leaves Livorno in 16^th place of the Serie A league table with 23 points. They are just behind 15^th place Catania on goal difference but only 1 point ahead of 18^th place Parma who are in the relegation zone. The news is not much better in terms of injuries as top scorer Tavano as he has a muscle strain that will keep him out of this match. Manager Camolese is expected to go with a 3-5-1-1 with Diamanti playing right behind Tristan. Bergvold, Giannichedda, Volpe and Rossini round out the injured list.

Given Fiorentina’s recent struggles and the loss of Adrian Mutu, Livorno are exactly what the doctor order for the purple side. Livorno cannot buy a victory with the way things are going for them at this time and the loss of Tavano severely hampers them in attack. Fiorentina should bounce back this week with a positive result.

Prediction: Fiorentina (2-0)