After seeing their long unbeaten streak in Serie A finally ended last week, Coppa Italia finalists Fiorentina aim to get back on the winning trail this Sunday, when they host Sampdoria.
Though the Viola let a two-goal lead slip to lose against Monza, they then sealed aggregate victory in their cup semi-final; meanwhile, rock-bottom Samp are in need of a miracle to avoid relegation.
Match preview
© Reuters
In rather subdued style, Fiorentina finished the job on Thursday night, when they saw off Serie A strugglers Cremonese in the second leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final tie - a 2-0 lead from the teams' first meeting in Cremona proving sufficient to reach the final against Inter next month.
They had taken to the field at Stadio Artemio Franchi on the back of successive defeats - the first of which finally ended their long run without defeat in all competitions - and are now without a win in four games.
As the Viola held Atalanta BC to a draw during that sequence and their two other results still secured progress in cup competitions, the most troubling setback of the lot came last Sunday in Monza.
Just days after an aggregate win over Europa Conference League quarter-final opponents Lech Poznan saw a 14-match unbeaten streak ended, worse was to follow against their mid-table rivals in Serie A: despite going two goals up in the early stages, Fiorentina frittered away their advantage and were beaten 3-2.
Still strong contenders to finish in the top half of the table, Vincenzo Italiano's side can be infuriatingly inconsistent, and qualifying for Europe through their league finish is definitely not on the agenda.
Yet, only Lazio have won more points over the last eight matchdays, and the Viola's chances of securing some silverware for the first time in 22 years have also improved substantially over the past few weeks.
© Reuters
In contrast to their hosts, Sampdoria are not dreaming of cup glory - or even a top-10 league finish - as they stare relegation to Serie B straight in the face.
Samp sit bottom of the pile and some 10 points adrift of safety following a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Spezia last week, when they were unable to defend a lead earned by Bruno Amione's 23rd-minute opener against their regional rivals.
Leaving the Ligurians on just 18 points from 31 games, time is running out for a great escape to unfold and it is more likely a matter of when they will see demotion confirmed rather than if.
The only team yet to win a single match against opponents inside the top half of the Serie A standings, Sampdoria have managed only four draws and 12 defeats from such fixtures this term, so a trip to Florence could pose plenty of problems for Dejan Stankovic's downcast side.
History is not on their side, either, as not only did they lose 3-1 on their last visit to the Franchi and 2-0 in November's reverse fixture, but they have also conceded at least once in each of their last 17 league meetings with Fiorentina.
Team News
© Reuters
Having secured a place in the Coppa Italia final on Thursday, Vincenzo Italiano may make a handful of changes to his team this weekend, with Sofyan Amrabat and Lucas Martinez Quarta the leading contenders for promotion from the bench.
Giacomo Bonaventura could remain unavailable due to a thigh problem, joining injured goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu on the sidelines, but the former Spezia coach still has plenty of other options to choose from.
Up front, Arthur Cabral should lead the hosts' attacking trio, but Luka Jovic stands ready should Italiano decide the time is right for his top scorer to have a rest.
Meanwhile, Sampdoria's main absentees will be first-choice keeper Emil Audero, who is out for the rest of the season following shoulder surgery, and Dutch centre-back Bram Nuytinck.
Dejan Stankovic may choose to recall Abdelhamid Sabiri, as the Moroccan winger is back from suspension, while it remains to be seen if goal-shy striker Sam Lammers stays put in the Blucerchiati's front two or Manolo Gabbiadini will instead be asked to plough a lone furrow.
Fiorentina possible starting lineup:
Terracciano; Dodo, Igor, Martinez Quarta, Biraghi; Amrabat, Mandragora; Gonzalez, Barak, Saponara; Cabral
Sampdoria possible starting lineup:
Ravaglia; Murillo, Gunter, Amione; Zanoli, Winks, Rincon, Augello; Leris, Sabiri; Gabbiadini
We say: Fiorentina 1-0 Sampdoria
These sides have drawn none of their last seven Serie A meetings, and that trend could continue on Sunday evening as Fiorentina get back to winning ways. Samp's weak attack and terrible away record suggests that they cannot overcome the Viola's challenge, so another defeat awaits.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
