Fiorentina welcome Hellas Verona to the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday afternoon as the Viola look to exorcise the ghosts of last weekend’s harrowing 4-1 defeat to Roma.
The Giallorossi stretched their lead in third place to three points with victory and Paulo Sousa’s side will be keen to return to winning ways against a depleted Verona outfit.
Fiorentina have been dumped out of the Europa League since they last recorded a league victory but they were impressive in their 1-1 draw with Napoli a fortnight ago.
Marcos Alonso edged his side infront from a corner inside five minutes but it was the Spaniard’s miscued clearance that teed up Gonzalo Higuain to slot into an unguarded net from the ensuing kick-off.
Hellas Verona’s faint hopes of survival in Serie A has suffered a devastating blow with successive defeats since their Derby della Scala success a fortnight ago.
Several had predicted a miraculous escape for the Gialloblu after that resounding triumph but last weekend’s 3-0 home defeat to fellow relegation strugglers Sampdoria has brung Luigi Del Neri’s side crashing back down to earth.
A home clash with 19th-placed Carpi looms on the horizon as they remain nine points adrift of safety.
Meetings between these two historic clubs tend to produce goals and few can forget the memorable 5-3 clash at the Stadio Bentegodi in 2014.
The Viola may have prevailed in the reverse fixture between these two sides in October, but the Gialloblu emerged victorious from their last visit to Florence in April last season.
Fiorentina will be without the services of first-choice midfield pairing Matias Vecino and Milan Badelj.
The away side, in the meantime, will be shorn of defensive stalwart Vangelis Moras and Federico Viviani.
Form Guide: Fiorentina (D-W-L-D-L) Hellas Verona (D-L-W-L-L)
Expected Starting XIs
Fiorentina: Tatarusanu; Roncaglia, G.Rodriguez, Astori; Tello, Tino Costa, Borja Valero, Marcos Alonso; Bernardeschi, Ilicic; Kalinic.
Hellas Verona: Gollini; Pisano, Bianchetti, Helander, Albertazzi; Wszolek, Marrone, Ionita, Siligardi; Toni, Pazzini.
