Guingamp v Fiorentina – Preview: First place in sight
La Viola, who are unbeaten in eight straight European away contests, will attempt to reproduce the form that led to a 3-0 victory over Guingamp in their previous encounter, thanks to goals from Juan Vargas, Juan Cuadrado and Federico Bernardeschi, though the French side were playing with 10 men after Moustapha Elhadji Diallo was sent off early on.
Having already qualified for the knockout stages, with ten points from the first four matches, the Serie A side can guarantee first place with a victory or draw.
Guingamp are attempting to advance to the knockout stages of their first major European tournament and have won both of their home matches 2-0. If they continue their home form, En Avant can qualify from the group with a victory, should PAOK defeat Dinamo Minsk in the group’s other game, but can qualify with a draw, if Minsk emerge victorious over PAOK.
Fiorentina has struggled in France, only winning one of their last six matches there, but will be buoyed after a weekend victory over Hellas Verona. Guingamp are traversing a disastrous league campaign that has left them in 19th place in Ligue 1, and will look to find added relief in an attempt to secure their third Europa League victory.
Fiorentina will travel to France without captain Manuel Pasqual, winger Federico Bernardeschi, and Giuseppe Rossi. Meanwhile, Guingamp have a long list of absentees, including first team goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa, Sambou Yatabare, Ronnie Schwartz, Dorian Leveque, Julien Cardy, and Ladislas Dounima.
Expected Starting XIs
Fiorentina: Tatarusanu; Tomovic, Basanta, Rodriguez, Alonso; Badelj, Kurtic; Cuadrado, Valero, Vargas; Gomez.
Guingamp: Lossi; Jacobson, Angoua, Sorbon, Dos Santos; Beauvue, Sankhare, Mathis, Pied; Marveaux; Mandanne