Contesting a Tuscan derby in their first away match of the season, Fiorentina take the short trip to Empoli on Sunday evening.
While the Viola have started their 2022-23 campaign with wins in Serie A and in Europe, their hosts have suffered successive defeats to continue a miserable calendar year.
Match preview
© Reuters
Following back-to-back losses to end pre-season, Fiorentina have flown out of the traps over the last week, as the competitive action got under way.
Vincenzo Italiano's side kicked off their Serie A season by edging out promoted Cremonese in a 3-2 victory last Sunday, at Stadio Artemio Franchi, where summer signing Luka Jovic scored on his debut before the hosts were gifted a fortunate winner deep into stoppage time.
In the process, the Viola fired in the most shots of any team on the first matchday (28), and also recorded the highest possession share (74.6%); indicating the style of play preferred by their well-regarded coach.
Just a few days later, they met FC Twente for the first of two encounters across seven days, with Thursday's Europa Conference League playoff first leg being hosted in Florence.
Vying for access to the group stage of Europe's newest club competition, following their seventh-placed league finish last term, Fiorentina further embellished a proud record at the Franchi over recent months, during which time they have posted Italy's second-best points total on home soil.
A 2-1 win over their Eredivisie opponents sets them up nicely for next week's return in the Netherlands, but first they must return their attention to domestic duty and aim to take three points from their local rivals.
© Reuters
The last four derbies between Empoli and Fiorentina in Serie A have each been won by the home side, including a 2-1 win for the hosts when they last met at Stadio Carlo Castellani, back in November.
Since then, though, the Azzurri's fortunes have nosedived, and they were fortunate to avoid demotion at the end of their comeback campaign; sealing safety more through the failings of others rather than their own readiness for the fight.
Empoli have now lost 20 of their last 22 games in the top flight, following last week's opening day defeat at the hands of potential relegation rivals Spezia.
No team has won fewer games since the turn of the year (only two, alongside Venezia, who are now back in Serie B) and Paolo Zanetti - Venezia's coach until the final weeks of last season - has not enjoyed an auspicious start as he aims to turn things around.
After positive signs in pre-season, which finished with four straight wins, a Coppa Italia loss to second-tier SPAL cast a shadow over the new league season, and - with Andrea Pinamonti having left for Sassuolo - the Azzurri still look a little light up front.
- L
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- L
- W
- W
- W
- L
- L
- W
- W
Team News
© Reuters
While Empoli are set to be without Florence-born Lorenzo Tonelli again this weekend, they have no other injury issues of note and are likely to field a similar side to that beaten by Spezia on the opening day.
Therefore, the hosts' front two should be formed by summer signings Mattia Destro and Sam Lammers, with Albania international Nedim Bajrami and Scottish midfielder Liam Henderson providing support from behind.
Another new arrival, Razvan Marin will continue in central midfield, following the recent departure of Szymon Zurkowski, who returned to parent club Fiorentina following a successful loan spell.
However, the Polish midfielder joins Igor among those doubtful due to injury for the Viola, while questions remain over Giacomo Bonaventura, who missed out on Thursday's Conference League game entirely. Gaetano Castrovilli is a longer-term absentee.
After Arthur Cabral led the line against Twente, Luka Jovic should return at the centre of Fiorentina's front three. After finding the net against Cremonese, the Serbian striker could already surpass his tally of goals from 15 La Liga appearances last season at Real Madrid by scoring again on Sunday.
Meanwhile, former Shakhtar Donetsk defender Dodo could start ahead of Lorenzo Venuti and Marco Benassi, both of whom have featured at right-back so far.
Empoli possible starting lineup:
Vicario; Stojanovic, Ismajli, Luperto, Parisi; Henderson, Marin, Bandinelli; Bajrami; Destro, Lammers
Fiorentina possible starting lineup:
Gollini; Dodo, Milenkovic, Martinez Quarta, Biraghi; Amrabat, Duncan, Mandragora; Ikone, Jovic, Saponara
We say: Empoli 1-2 Fiorentina
While Fiorentina can be fragile defensively - and fatigue could be a factor following Thursday's efforts - their attacking prowess under Vincenzo Italiano should earn them maximum points from this local affair; Empoli's sorry streak is set to roll on.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
