Fiorentina-Inter Preview: Nerazzurri search for third straight win

FIORENTINA

Viviano

Tomovic, Rodriguez, Savic

Cuadrado, Aquilani, Pizarro, Valero, Pasqual
Jovetic, Toni
INTER
Roma

Handanovic

Ranocchia, Juan Jesus, Chivu

Schelotto, Gargano, Cambiasso, Nagatomo

Guarin
Cassano, Palacio

It is the battle between fifth and sixth place on Sunday when Fiorentina host Inter, with the visitors all but out of the title race.

Their task has been made all the more difficult after they lost striker Diego Milito to a serious knee injury in their 2-0 win over Cluj on Thursday.

The Argentine’s nine goals make him the Nerazzurri’s top goalscorer this season and with that in mind the attacking burden will now fall even more heavily on the shoulders of likely starters Antonio Cassano and Rodrigo Palacio, the latter of whom scored twice in midweek.

New signing Mateo Kovacic also impressed on Europa League duty and looks to have done enough to start again, but Inter will still be without Walter Samuel, Gabi Mudingayi, Luca Castellazzi and Joel Obi through injury.

A 2-0 defeat to Juventus in their last outing was by no means a disgrace for Vincenzo Montella’s side, but he will be wary of the need to get a result following a run of just one victory in seven games.

Giulio Migliaccio and Alberto Aquilani return from suspension, but Matias Fernandez, Giuseppe Rossi, Ahmed Hegazy and Michele Camporese all remain on the treatment table. 

  • Inter go into the game as favourites with an impressive unbeaten record against the Viola in their last 15 meetings.

  • The Nerazzurri have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six games. 
  • Andrea Stramaccioni’s side have lost five of their last six away games in Serie A.
  • Fiorentina will be encouraged by a fantastic home record that sees them undefeated in 15 of their last 16 contests at the Artemio Franchi.

  • There have been less than 2.5 goals scored in Fiorentina’s last three home games in Serie A.
  • Stevan Jovetic (pictured, right) is Fiorentina’s top goalscorer with nine strikes to his name this season.

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