Fiorentina v Cesena – Preview: Viola and Cavallucci Marini aim to end victory drought

Fiorentina host struggling Cesena on Sunday afternoon at the Stadio Artemio Franchi as both sides look to end disappointing runs and finish the season positively, despite both outfits being found at opposite ends of the table.

The Viola started the month of April with aspirations of Champions League football next season but after four consecutive league defeats the Tuscan outfit’s chances of European football are in jeopardy.

Fiorentina go into the round in 7th place on the back of a 3-2 defeat at the hand of Juventus and now sit only one point behind Inter and Torino who have shown improvements in form in recent weeks.

Cesena too will be looking to stop the rot against their hosts and end a barren run which has seen the Seahorses go without a league victory since March 3rd and consequently look likely to return to Serie B after just one season in the top flight.

Sitting 19th in the standings and eight points away from safety, Domenico Di Carlo’s side will be looking to add insult to injury and take a valuable three points back to Emilia-Romagna and keep their slim chance of survival alive.

Cesena will be disappointed to come away from Wednesday’s fixture with Atalanta with just a point after going ahead with just 20 minutes left to play.

However, the struggling side squandered the points when they let Mauricio Pinilla in to get his second of the night as the match ended 2-2.

Fiorentina have taken advantage of their recent encounters with Cesena, recording a 4-1 victory at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi in December

The Viola remaining unbeaten in their last five games against the Cavallucci Marini after recording three victories and two draws in a run stretching back to 2010.

The home side will be confident of getting a result against struggling opposition but with a Europa League semi-final away to Sevilla to follow, several key players could be rested ahead of the important fixture.

Gonzalo Rodriguez will miss Sunday’s match through suspension, while Khouma Babacar and Giuseppe Rossi are likely to miss the rest of the season through injury.

Guido Marilungo’s season is over for the visitors as he awaits an operation, while Hordur Magnusson and Luca Valzania are likely to remain out.

Stefano Lucchini and Nico Pulzetti face late fitness tests and could be included in the Cesena squad but are unlikely to start against the Viola.

Form Guide: Fiorentina (D-W-L-L-L-L), Cesena (L-D-L-D-L-D)

Expected Starting XIs

Fiorentina: Neto; Basanta, Savic, Alonso, Tomovic; Badelj, Fernandez, Aquilani; Joaquin, Gomez, Salah

Cesena: Leali; Renzetti, Krajnc, Nica, Volta; Brienza, Mudingayi, Carbonero; Cascione, Defrel, Rodriguez