Fiorentina vs Sampdoria
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 06 November 2016
Kick-Off: 17:00 UK,
Venue: Stadio Artemio Franchi (Florence).
Having sewn up Group J in the Europa League in style (assuming they can take a single point from their next two fixtures in the competition), Paulo Sousa can turn his attention back to Serie A, where he’s brought Fiorentina up to 8th place, with a game in hand on 7th-placed Atalanta and 2 on 6th-placed Torino, who both lead the Viola by 3 points.
Sousa will probably continue with the 4-2-3-1ish shape that’s brought him so much success recently. Carlos Salcedo and Maxi Olivera should start at right- and leftback, respectively, with Badelj returning to partner Borja Valero in the center behind an attacking band of Federico Bernardeschi, Josip Ilicic, and Cristian Tello. Nikola Kalinic will feature up top. Matias Vecino looks likely to miss out as he continues to recover from muscular fatigue.
Sampdoria
Although they’re languishing in 14th place, the Blucerchiati have started to figure things out. In their last 5, they’re W2 D2 L1, with the loss coming against Juventus. Manager Marco Giampaolo, who bossed Tuscan side Empoli before Samp president/resident loony Massimo Ferrero disposed of Vincenzo Montella and hired him on, has built a gritty side that mostly gets attacking inspiration from its talented tridente.
Giampaolo will have to do without number one Emiliano Viviano (wrist), leftbacks Daniel Pavlovic (knee) and Stanley Amuzie (knee), defensive midfielder and captain Angelo Palombo (back), midfielder Carlos Carbonero (knee), and forward Antonio Cassano (suspension). With so many absences, expect him to instruct his tricky front three to spring into attack as quickly as possible while the midfield mostly stays put in front of the defense.
With Viviano out, Lorenzo de Silvestri is the only former Viola player on the roster, although Dennis Praet nearly joined this summer and Karol Linetty (who’s played against Fiorentina previously with Lech Poznan) and Luca Cigarini have been close to signing on in the past as well.
Fiorentina vs Sampdoria: Head-to-head statistics
Fiorentina are unbeaten in their past 10 home games against Sampdoria.
The Viola have lost just one out of their last 20 home games against teams ranked lower than them in the table (13 wins, six draws).
Sampdoria’s record in their past 20 away games against teams ranked higher than them in the table is 13 losses, six draws, and just one win.
Sampdoria have failed to win 10 out of their last 11 road games
Fiorentina vs Sampdoria: Prediction
Sampdoria are really floundering, and this is something Fiorentina can take advantage of. The Viola need to start stringing some wins together if they want to rebound after a difficult start, and they should have no trouble seeing off their struggling visitors this Sunday. Sampdoria did manage to beat Inter, but that was at home. On the road, as noted before, they have found things quite difficult since that huge win at the start of this season.
Fiorentina vs Sampdoria: Betting tips
Fiorentina – WIN at 4/7 (1.57)
Over 2.5 goals at 3/4 (1.75).