Sixth placed Fiorentina haven't won two games consecutively this year, and there recent form is extremely patchy. They've won two and lost three of their last five, struggling particularly away from home, where they've lost four on the bounce.
Fiorentina vs. Chievo Verona, Preview: Vincible Viola host faltering Flying Donkeys
Neither of these sides have been in great form of late, but with Vincenzo Montella’s side having played some of the best football Italy has seen this season, they’re clear favourites.
It is therefore fortunate that in this game they welcome Chievo Verona to the Artemio Franchi, where they'll hope to put a shocking late defeat at the hands of Bologna last Tuesday completely behind them. Chievo themselves aren't in the best of form, dropping to 15th having not won in their last four.
Eight points to the relegation zone seems a comfortable buffer for the Flying Donkeys, though things could get pretty twitchy if they continue on in their recent form. They’ve got one of the worst away records of any team in the division, though won the last time these two sides met in Tuscany in April 2012. That day Chievo were sat in a nice mid-table position, while Fiorentina were fighting hard against relegation. What a difference a year makes.
Vincenzo Montella looks set to use a 4-3-3 as opposed to his generally preferred 3-5-2 here, in a bid to change his side's recent fortunes. They'll be without Michele Camporese, Giuseppe Rossi and Ahmed Hegazy, but the man they'll really miss will be the suspended Juan Cuadrado, who's been one of the top performers in Serie A this season, operating down the right for the viola.
Chievo too have an important player on the naughty step in Përparim Hetemaj, while Gennaro Sardo and Nikos Spyropoulos have both been left out with injury. They'll play a 5-3-2, which really is as defensive as it sounds.
Fiorentina Injuries and Suspensions
Michele Camporese, Giuseppe Rossi and Ahmed Hegazy (injured)
Chievo Injuries and Suspensions
Gennaro Sardo and Nikos Spyropoulos (injured); Nikos Spyropoulos (suspended)
Match Date/Time: Sunday 3rd March 2013 3 p.m. local, 9 a.m. E.T.
Venue: Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence, Italy
TV: Premium Calcio, Sky Calcio 2 (Italy), beIN Sport (U.S.)
See More:
