Fiorentina vs Sassuolo
Italian Serie A
Date: Monday, 29 April 2019
Kick-Off 20:00 UK / 21:00 CET
Venue: Stadio Artemio Franchi (Florence).
TEAM NEWS
FIORENTINA
Predicted player composition (4-4-2): Lafont; Milenkovic, Pezzella, Vitor Hugo, Biraghi; Chiesa, Dabo, Veretout, Benassi; Simeone, Muriel
Not Available: Pjaca (Wounded)
Doubtful: Terracciano (Wounded)
SASSUOLO
Prediction arrangement (4-3-3): Consigli; Pol Lirola, Demiral, Ferrari, Rogerio; Sensi, Magnanelli, Duncan; Berardi, Babacar, Boga
Not Available: Locatelli (Suspended), Magnani (Injured), Adjapong (Injured)
Doubtful: Scamacca (Injured), Marlon (Injured), Sensi (Injured)
Preview of Fiorentina vs Sassuolo
Fiorentina
Fiorentina still win just one Serie A match in 2019, which is, uh, bad. They slipped to 10th place, far from European reach and drop, and almost as boring as the midfield team as you can imagine. We are in the full Dumutru Effect area, because the players have nothing to play other than their jobs next year.
New manager Vincenzo Montella hasn't won yet when he returns to Florence. After trying 4-3-3 against Atalanta in the Coppa Italia, he is likely to survive with that form, although he can choose 3-5-2 again in an attempt to destabilize his opponent. Expect Bryan Dabo and Giovanni Simeone to return to the starting lineup when he tries to better refine his ownership-based tactics with a group of players who seem totally unsuitable for such a system.
Given Sassuolo's poor defensive record and loose play habits sometimes, a high press might be the best idea; Neroverdi is far better off moving the ball through the middle and might be able to get past the Viola off the field in that area. A deep line to fight the pace of Domenico Berardi might be wise, so we can see the middle of the field which is rather open, which can lead to a more Piolish game. Then again, Cousin Vinnie is about keeping everything compact, so that Fiorentina can be trapped in limited space and shoot well at the feet, which will be very out of character.
Sassuolo
With wins, defeats and three draws in their last 5 matches, you can't really say that the Neroverdi looks anything but the middle of the end; while their appearance to open the season was brilliant, they have since slowed down a bit and are now sitting 12th in the league with 38 points, 2 returning from their hosts.
Manager Roberto de Zerbi has formed an attacking team that is entertaining and based on ownership. With CB Marlon (foot), CB Giangiacomo Magnani (foot), RB Claud Adjapong (ankle), and DM Manuel Locatelli (suspension) all questionable or out, he could have a lack of defense in his hand, indicating that he might use a 4 -3-3 instead of 3-4-1-2 he tried too. It shows an even more fragile defense than usual, which is certainly dangerous for the team that conceded the 4 most goals in the league this year.
Of course, defense is not de Zerbi's main arena. Return to his time on the third level, he always lowered the team that focused on attacking through ownership. Pressing them above can cause a quick change, so Giovanni Simeone can be a good choice in this attack. However, they are very clever on the field, with a number of players who are able to play dangerous passes or finish them, so Fiorentina's rearguard must remain vigilant. Also, they have a long list of Viola players: CF Khouma Babacar, CF Alessandro Matri, and GK Giacomo Satalino who used to play for Fiorentina. The main threats were Babacar, winger Domenico Berardi and CM Alfred Duncan.
Fiorentina vs Sassuolo: Head-to-head
Fiorentina has a record head to head positive with Il Neroverdi.
The Viola won five, drew four and lost two of eleven meetings with Sassuolo.
The team shared the spoils in a crazy thriller 3-3 in mid-December last year at the MAPEI Stadium - Citta del Tricolore.
Three or more goals are scored in five of the last six head to head matches.
Fiorentina vs Sassuolo: Bet Tips
Over 2.5 goals FT @ 1.80 (4/5)
Both Teams To Score @ 1.75 (3/4).
