Cagliari vs Fiorentina

Cagliari and Fiorentina will meet in a clash between clubs which still have loads to play for in the final stretch of the Serie A season. Cagliari are too close for comfort with regard to the drop zone of the league table while Fiorentina are being challenged by both AC Milan and Sampdoria for the final Champions League spot.

I sardi had been playing very well of late but ran into league leaders Inter Milan last week and fell by a score of 2-1 at the Giuseppe Meazza. With that loss Cagliari remain in 15^th place of Serie A with 35 points. They are just behind 14^th place Catania on goal difference but sit just 2 points ahead of both Empoli and Reggina who are tide for a relegation slot. The side managed by Ballardini simply cannot afford a loss at this time and this game at home to Fiorentina is a final. The injury list this week consists of Marchini, Parola, Magliocchetti and Acquaresca. Look for the home side to employ a 4-3-1-2 with Matri to start along with Jeda upfront.

Fiorentina are in 4^th place of the league table with 60 point on the present campaign. Last week they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Sampdoria. That result hurts Cesare Prandelli’s side as it allowed AC Milan to pull to within just 2 points of them at 58. Fiorentina have now posted 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw over their past 5 games. The rest of the week was no better for the viola as they lost to Glasgow Rangers in the semi final round of the UEFA CUP. This match away to Cagliari is all they have left to play for at this time. The lone injury concern for this contest is Christian Vieri who is finished for the season while Montolivo will sit out due to suspension. Prandelli will continue to utilize the 4-3-3 with Mutu, Pazzini and Semioli in attack.

Despite the loss to league leaders Inter Milan last week there is no question that Cagliari have responded to new manager Ballardini. They are much more competitive and defensively the tactics appear to have been sorted out to a point where they are now not an easy club to score upon. Fiorentina could have a very tough time against a club that is playing for its survival and the impact of the loss to Rangers could still linger in their heads.

Prediction: Cagliari (1-0)

Inter Milan vs Fiorentina

League leaders Inter Milan play host to Fiorentina in the ‘other’ big match of week 33 in Serie A. Inter Milan are looking to extend their unbeaten run to 3 matches as they try to pull away from AS Roma while the visiting Fiorentina are riding high following a big win over PSV Eindhoven in their UEFA Cup that allowed them to advance to the semi final.

Inter are currently in first place with 72 points on the season and maintain a 4 point edge on Roma. In their last match, the squad managed by Roberto Mancini scored a 0-2 win over Atalanta at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia. The win was the neroazzurri’s 2^nd in their last 5 games to go with 2 draws and 1 loss. Inter Milan continue to have a number of injury concerns this week with Zlatan Ibrahimovic headlining an injured list that includes Dacourt, Samuel, Cordoba and Rivas. Balotelli is set to take the spot left open by Ibrahimovic alongside Argentine striker Julio Cruz. On a positive note, Chivu is set to start at the back.

Fiorentina were winners at home last week as they held serve over the struggling Reggina by a score of 2-0 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The win continued a trend for the viola in recent weeks that has seen them win at home and then lose away and they have posted 3 home wins and 2 road losses over their past 5 games. This is a change for Fiorentina as earlier in the season they were among the top clubs in the league away from home. At this time the side managed by Cesare Prandelli are in 4^th place of Serie A with 56 points and sit 2 points back of 3^rd place Juventus and 4 points up on 4^th place AC Milan. The one confirmed injury absence for this match is Semioli while Donadel will sit out suspended. Fiorentina look set to go with a 4-3-3 featuring Mutu, Pazzini and Santana in attack while Christian Vieri will sit on the bench.

This could prove to be a tough match for the neroazzurri given that the injuries seem to have been taking a toll of late especially in attack with Ibrahimovic and Cruz rarely starting together over the past 2 months. However, Fiorentina’s problems away from home where they have lost 4 of their last 5 games makes them especially vulnerable in this match considering that Inter have won 13 of 16 games with 2 draws at home this year.

Prediction: Inter Milan (2-1)

Fiorentina vs Reggina

Fiorentina are back home to host Reggina in a battle between two clubs that are coming off of losses in week 31 of Serie A. Fiorentina dropped 3 points on the road to Udinese and are now involved in a real fight for 4^th place, while Reggina lost away to Genoa and now are in a lot of trouble at the bottom of the league table.

The viola enter week 32 in 4^th place with 53 points for the present campaign. They are 5 points behind 3^rd place Juventus and 3 points ahead of 5^th place Udinese. It was their 3-1 loss away to Udinese last week at the Stadio Friuli which saw their lead shrink from 6 to points in the coveted 4^th slot of the league table which grants access to the Champions League. Manager Cesare Prandelli has now seen his squad lose 3 straight road matches after having been one of the best road sides in Italy during the early portion of the year. There are 2 players ruled out this week in Semioli and Ujfalusi. Sensing that his squad can expose Reggina’s defensive failings, Prandelli looks ready to go with a 4-3-3 featuring Adrian Mutu, Pazzini and Papa Waigo in attack.

This match away to Fiorentina will be the second straight on the road for the relegation threatened Reggina. Last week they fell away to Genoa by a score of 2-0 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. With the loss Reggina are now 19^th in Serie A with 27 points and sit 2 points back of 18^th place Cagliari and the other 3 clubs tied at 29 points. If the season ended today they would make the drop to Serie B. Manager Orlandi’s squad are now winless over their last 3 games and have won just 5 points from the last 15 played for. There is only one injury concern reported for this game and it involves Montiel who has been ruled out. Brienza has been cleared to play and will start just behind lone striker Amoruso in a 4-4-1-1 formation.

It is hard to find a way for Reggina to get the job done this week. While Fiorentina have had their problems on the road this season, they have been steady at home for the most part having produced 9 wins and 3 draws in 15 games. Meanwhile, Reggina have yet to win a single match away from home and Fiorentina need this match just as much as the visitors do. Look for the purple side to hold serve at home.

Prediction: Fiorentina (2-0)

Udinese vs Fiorentina

Udinese and Fiorentina face-off in a match up between clubs that are coming off of victories at home in week 30. This home match for Udinese represents their last remaining chance to make a move on Fiorentina’s coveted 4^th place spot in the league table.

Udinese held serve at home over Livorno last week by a score of 2-0 at the Stadio Friuli. The victory leaves Udinese in 6^th place of Serie A with 47 points. They are 1 point ahead of 7^th place Sampdoria and 2 points back of 5^th place AC Milan. However, a victory over Fiorentina in this contest would see them move to within 3 points of 4^th place. Fiorentina are the club that Udinese would need to catch in order to have a shot at the Champions League. With their victory over Livorno the side managed by Marino have won 2 straight without conceding a goal and are unbeaten over their last 5 games with 3 wins and 2 draws. The problems this week for Marino is that there are a number of injury concerns at the back. Udinese usually employee a 3 man back line and this week both Zapata and Felipe are out. Therefore, look for Lukovic, Zapotocny and Ferronetti to start in defense as well as 3 strikers upfront in Di Natale, Quagliarella and Pepe.

The visiting Fiorentina were winners at home last week as well when they held serve by a score of 1-0 over Lazio at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. That win leaves the side managed by Cesare Prandelli in 4^th place of Serie A with 53 points. They are 5 points back of 3^rd place Juventus and 4 points ahead of AC Milan. Fiorentina have now won 3 matches to go with 2 losses over their past 5 games. Now they hit the road where they have lost their last 2 against Siena and Napoli while not scoring a goal. Fiorentina have important absences in attack this week where Adrian Mutu and Liverani are both out suspended while Gamberini and Semioli are injured. The viola look set to maintain their 4-3-3 as Jorgensen returns to the right back position. Montolivo and Donadei will start in midfield with Pazzini, Osvaldo and Santana upfront.

Udinese come into this contest as the most in form squad of the two. Fiorentina were one of the top sides playing away form home for much of the season but have begun to struggle of late. Udinese have always been consistent at home despite not having had the Colombian Zapata in defense for much of the last month and a half they have still played strong defensively. The absence of Mutu and Liverani could prove more costly to Fiorentina.

Prediction: Udinese (2-1)

Fiorentina vs Lazio

Fiorentina are home to host the suddenly rejuvenated SS Lazio as week 30 of Serie A gets underway. Fiorentina are coming off of a loss on the road, while Lazio just pulled off a very uplifting and emotional win in the Rome derby.

The side managed by Cesare Prandelli are in 4^th place of the league table with 50 points. Fiorentina sit 5 points behind 3^rd place Juventus and 4 up on AC Milan thanks to Milan’s failure to win their match during the midweek fixtures of week 29. If the season ended today, Fiorentina would have a chance at qualifying for the Champions League. They are coming off of a 2-0 loss away to Napoli at the San Siro. The viola have posted 3 wins and 2 draws over their last 5 games. The injured list this week consists of Jorgensen, Gamberini and Semioli. The Argentine Santana is expected to come on for Semioli while Christian Vieri will be making his first start since the 24^th of February.

Lazio picked up what will probably go down as their most important victory of the season in their last match when they held serve and defeated AS Roma by a score of 3-2 in the derby match at the Stadio Olimpico. They are now in 9^th place of the Serie A table with 37 points, just behind 8^th place Atalanta on goal difference and 1 point up on 10^th place Napoli. They are undefeated over their last 5 matches with 3 wins and 2 draws. Manager Delio Rossi is expected to employ some type of turn over this week with Rozenhal coming on in defense. Meanwhile, the injured list includes a number of players including Radu, Del Nero, Firmani, Diakite and Zauri. Look for Mudingayi and Mutarelli to come on in midfield.

While Fiorentina have been the better side overall this season, Lazio are playing their best football of the year. Their form of late has been impressive and the fact that they were able to defeat Roma in a match that meant everything to their title hopes shows that on any given day the biancocelesti are capable of beating anyone. They should prove to be very tough for Fiorentina.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Napoli vs Fiorentina

Napoli play host to Fiorentina at the Stadio San Paolo in a midweek fixture during week 29 of Serie A. The partenopei have hit some hard times since becoming the first side this season to defeat Inter Milan and are now in the bottom half of the league table. Fiorentina are still very much in the running for a Champions League and will be looking to keep pace with the squad directly above them, Juventus.

Reja’s side is in 12^th place of the lead table with 33 points for the year. They sit 1 point back of 11^th place SS Lazio and sit 2 points up on 13^th place Torino. They lost a heart breaker in week 28 away to Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino by a score of 1-0. It was a difficult loss to digest because it appeared that Napoli had at least done enough to secure a point. The loss was Napoli’s 3^rd in their last 4 matches and during that stretch they have scored just 1 goal while conceding 5. The last player to score for Napoli, Marcelo Zalayeta, is out for the season following surgery to repair a ligament in his knee. The positive news for Napoli this week is that Zalayeta will be the only injury concern. Calaio will once again take his spot and play alongside Lavezzi in attack.

Fiorentina were winners at home over the weekend by a 3-1 score over Genoa at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. That win, coupled with AC Milan’s loss extended Fiorentina’s advantage over 5^th place Milan to 4 points as they now have 50 on the season which are good enough for 4^th place. The viola currently sit 4 points back of 3^rd place Juventus. The side managed by Cesare Prandelli have now won 3 of their last 4 matches. This week there are 3 confirmed absences as Jorgensen and Gamberini are injured while Gobbi is suspended. Adrian Mutu is a confirmed starter along with Christian Vieri and Semioli in attack, while Dainelli gets the start at the back in place of the aforementioned Jorgensen.

This match is a real gut check for Napoli. They really have not played with any consistency since the new year began and any hope of a European Cup appearance has almost completely disappeared. A win at home this week is vital but it won’t be easy as Fiorentina have managed 6 wins and 5 draws from 14 road matches this season. Only Juventus, Roma and Inter Milan have fared better than Fiorentina on the road this year. Look for the viola to pull this one out.

Prediction: Fiorentina (0-1)

Fiorentina vs Genoa

Fiorentina and Genoa clash in a match up of two clubs that are coming off of very disappointing results in week 27 of Serie A. Fiorentina lost to a club embroiled in the relegation fight, while Genoa dropped 3 points at home to the always dangerous Juventus.

The viola are currently in 4^th place of the Serie A league table with 47 points on the year. They are 1 point up on 5^th place AC Milan and 4 points back of Juventus. In their last match they suffered a stinging defeat at the hands of Siena by a score of 1-0 at the MPS Arena. Fiorentina did have better results later in the week when they were able to advance to the quarter final round of the UEFA Cup after getting past Everton. With the club set to play yet another match in 3 days time manager Cesar Prandelli has indicated his intention to employ so form of turnover with respect to the starting eleven against Genoa. Adrian Mutu, Papa Waigo and Liverani will not play while Semioli is slated to return to action.

Genoa were stunned at home by Juventus in a match that ended 0-2 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Il grifone had been doing well going into that contest, having won 3 straight, and they had hoped to take the next step by defeating a quality side such as Juve. Instead the loss keeps them in 9^th place of the league table with 35 points. They sit 1 point behind 8^th place Palermo and 1 point ahead of 10^th place Atalanta. For this contest away to Fiorentina manager Gasperini will have to make due without Paro, Bovo, Santos, Rubinho and Milanetto. Look for Rossi to return to the right side of midfield while Leon, top scorer Borriello and Sculli play upfront in the 3-4-3.

Fiorentina could be in trouble in this match. While they return to play at the Artemio Franchi for the first time in 2 weeks in domestic play, this will be their 3^rd match of the week with another coming up in 3 days time. Genoa have done alright on the road this season and will be much better rested. Fiorentina lose a lot with Mutu and Liverani not playing and that could be the difference.

Predictions: Draw (0-0)

Juventus vs Fiorentina

Juventus and Fiorentina will face off in a direct clash between clubs in the top 4 of the Serie A league table. The vecchia signora are coming off of a frustrating draw in their midweek match while the purple side were able to secure a big win that helped them jump right back into the UEFA Champions League zone.

Juventus played host to Torino in the Turin derby and were held to 0-0 draw. It was a wasted opportunity for Juve as they could have gained ground on both Roma and Inter Milan who had played to a draw in their match. Instead, Claudio Ranieri’s side are stuck in 3^rd place of the league table with 48 points. They are 4 points back of Roma while maintaining a 4 point edge on Fiorentina. They have now won just 1 point from their last 2 matches. There will be a few absences this week and one is major as Pavel Nedved will be serving the first of a 2 match suspension. In addition, Chiellini is also out suspended while Andrade and Marchionni are out injured. Ranieri will go with Zanetti and Sissoko on the inside of midfield.

Week 25 saw Fiorentina defeat Livorno at home by a score of 1-0 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Thanks to the victory Cesare Prandelli’s club were able to jump ahead of AC Milan in the Serie A league table and now sit in 4^th place. They have 44 points for the season which leaves them 2 points up on Milan and 4 points back of Juventus. Should i viola be able to secure the 3 points against Juventus, they would cut their deficit to 1 point. This week 3 players have been ruled out due to injury and they are the club’s top striker Adrian Mutu of Romania, Semioli and Liverani. This robs Prandelli of 3 important attacking players. Therefore, the 3 man attack will be composed of Pazzini, Jorgensen and Santana.

This promises to be a close one. Juventus have hit a low point in their season in terms of offensive production and while Trezeguet and Del Piero are set to start, the loss of Nedved will hurt. Meanwhile, despite losing Mutu Fiorentina will still feature 3 strikers and give Juventus a lot to worry about. A draw would not be surprising.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

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)

Roma vs Fiorentina

Roma face another stern test in week 24 of Serie A as they return home looking to bounce back from a tough loss a week ago away to Juventus. Fiorentina are in high spirits following an important victory a week ago over Catania and are looking to solidify their hold on 4^th place of the league table.

AS Roma have hit a tough spell of late in Serie A. After putting together a strong 13 match unbeaten run coming into the month of February, they have now lost 2 of their last 3 league matches. The latest loss away to Juventus by a score of 1-0 leaves them in 2^nd place with 48 points but now 11 back of first place Inter Milan and just 1 point up on 3^rd place Juve. The club did get a lift this week when they were able to come from behind to defeat Real Madrid in their Champions League match. This week manager Spaletti will be missing the usual Juan and Curci to injury while Brazilian winger Mancini is out suspended. Therefore, look for Vucinic and Perrotta to start in midfield with Totti the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 set.

Fiorentina held serve at home in week 23 to defeat Catania by a score of 2-1 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi di Firenze. The result gives Cesare Prandelli’s side 41 points on the year. They are 6 points behind Juventus and 3 ahead of 5^th place AC Milan. The viola are playing very well of late both in Serie A and in the UEFA Cup and have now won 3 of their last 5 matches with 1 draw and 1 loss along the way. Three players have been ruled out for this match and they are Pasqual, Potenza and Osvaldo while it has been confirmed that Frey will be able to start in goal.

Roma are in a tricky situation this week. Their Serie A title chances seem to be dwindling, while they are still very much alive in the Champions League and will need to prioritize soon. They have been superb at home with 8 wins and 2 draws in 11 matches, but Fiorentina have more than held their own away from home with just 1 loss in as 11 matches. Couple that with the fact that Roma are missing Mancini this week- a player who opens up enormous space for Totti and company in attack, and the visitors just might have the break they need to hold out for the draw.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

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