Palermo vs Fiorentina
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 30 April 2017
Kick-Off: 14:00 UK,
Venue: Stadio Renzo Barbera (Palermo).
Palermo
The final season of the Maurizio Zamparini era has not been a successful one, and the Rosanero are on the verge of a return to Serie B - a loss on Sunday would mean mathematical relegation. Zamparini’s entertainment value will be missed, although new President, U.S. born television personality Paul Baccaglini, is hardly the standard Italian oligarch himself.
When it comes to football, Palermo looks like a side resigned to their fate, having lost their last three matches. For the home side have any hope of staying up, they must win all their remaining fixtures and hope that both Crotone and Empoli fail to pick up any more points. Coach Diego Bortoluzzi, appointed April 11 under the suggestion of Francesco Guidolin, is the fifth coach of the season, following Davide Ballardini, Roberto De Zerbi, Eugenio Corini and Luis Diego Lopez.
Palermo have scored 27 goals and conceded 73, both good for second worst in the league, so it is difficult to say they have any particular strengths, although they did play Fiorentina to a close 2-1 loss when the two sides met in Florence in December.
Fiorentina
As we all know at this point, Fiorentina has had an up and down season. The club remains in the race for a Europa League position, but drastic changes to the squad are expected this summer either way, with coach Paulo Sousa almost certainly gone, potentially to be replaced by Sassuolo’s Eusebio Di Francesco.
The Viola are coming off an exciting 5-4 win at home against beloved target Inter, where a brilliant performance from Matias Vecino and Khouma Babacar was almost undermined by some last minute defensive implosion and Mauro Icardi heroics.
Babacar has been in brilliant form, scoring 4 goals in his last 4 games, including a brace last week, and is up to 9 goals in 10 starts for Fiorentina this year. He should once again get a chance to prove himself following Nikola Kalinic’s failed appeal following his two match ban. Fiorentina will also be without Gonzalo Rodriguez and Nenad Tomovic, who remain injured. Rumors suggest Josip Ilicic will get the start ahead of Federico Bernadeschi, who has looked distracted recently as speculation about his future continue to pile up.
Palermo vs Fiorentina: Head-to-head statistics
Palermo have a record of W1-D4-L15 in their last 20 home games against teams ranked above them in the table
Fiorentina have a record of W8-D7-L5 in their last 20 away games against teams ranked below them in the table.
Fiorentina are unbeaten against Palermo in their last eight Serie A games (W6 D2), whilst keeping four clean sheets.
Palermo have lost 6 of their last 7 matches.
The Rosanero have also conceded at least 3 goals in 6 of their last 7 matches.
The Viola have scored at least 3 goals in their last 3 away matches against Palermo in all competitions.
Fiorentina have conceded at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches.
Palermo have won just one home game all season, whilst losing 12 and drawing three.
Palermo vs Fiorentina: Prediction
Palermo have shipped at least three goals in all but one of their last seven games. The Rosanero have not won a game since February 5th and all of their last eight losses have been by at least two goals. Fiorentina have scored at least three goals in their last three away games here and have won by 2+ goals in at least half of their away fixtures.
It’s going to be a case of damage control for Palermo, but barring a shocking collapse from Fiorentina, the Rosanero will be joining Pescara in Serie B this weekend.
Palermo vs Fiorentina: Betting tips
Fiorentina – WIN (YES) and BTTS – YES at 8/5 (2.60).
