Fiorentina welcome Carpi to the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Wednesday evening as Paulo Sousa’s side aim to revive their Scudetto bid.
The Viola have lost three out of their last five outings and will be looking to strengthen their grip on third place as Inter continue to stumble.
Sousa’s outfit were unable to navigate a route past Gian Piero Gasperini’s Genoa on Sunday afternoon and face a season-defining stretch of fixtures after the visit of the Biancorossi.
Fabrizio Castori’s side, in contrast, are enjoying a mini-revival at the foot of the table.
They are unbeaten in Serie A in 2016 and have collected nine points out of a possible fifteen since they held Lazio to a goalless draw at the Stadio Olimpico at the start of January.
Key to that has been their home form as both Udinese and Sampdoria have departed Modena empty handed while Palermo visited on Saturday afternoon and were held to a draw.
Castori’s side also dealt Inter’s title credentials a serious blow as Kevin Lasagna struck deep into stoppage time at the San Siro to claim a historic point for the newly promoted side.
Fiorentina prevailed in the reverse fixture between these two sides in September but Carpi registered a memorable Coppa Italia triumph at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in December when Antonio Di Gaudio netted the solitary goal in a 1-0 success.
Midfield fulcrum Milan Badelj remains sidelined for the home side meaning Borja Valero is likely to continue in his deeper role in midfield.
Carpi, in the meantime, will have to wait for Jonathan De Guzman’s highly-anticipated debut as the Dutchman continues his recovery from injury while Matteo Fedele will join the new arrival on the absentee list for the visitors.
Form Guide: Fiorentina (W-L-L-W-D) Carpi (W-L-W-D-D)
Expected Starting XIs:
Fiorentina: Tatarusanu; Roncaglia, G.Rodriguez, Astori; Bernardeschi, Vecino, Borja Valero, Marcos Alonso; Ilicic; Kalinic, Babacar.
Carpi: Belec; Zaccardo, Romagnoli, Gagliolo, Poli; Letizia, Bianco, Cofie, Di Gaudio; Lasagna; Mbakogu.
