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)