Two teams who have it all to play for will do battle on Sunday afternoon when Frosinone host Fiorentina at the Stadio Comunale Matusa.
The Canarini currently find themselves 18th in the table, one point behind Palermo and Serie A safety. The Viola occupy fourth, five points behind Roma with a chance of Champions League football next season. A whopping 28 points separate the two sides.
Frosinone missed a wonderful chance to finally lift themselves above the relegation zone last weekend, losing 2-1 against fellow relegation-battlers Carpi. The Gialloazzurri continue to leak goals as exemplified by their concession of two against the league’s worst attack at the time. They remain dead last in goals scored against with 55, four worse than Palermo. Coach Roberto Stellone will be desperate to close the gaps in the back line in an attempt to stave off relegation this year.
Fiorentina are in the midst of a race of different sorts with an aim for Champions League football next season. A disappointing 1-1 draw with basement-dwellers Hellas Verona has seen Inter climb level with the Gigliati on points, albeit with a lower goal difference. The Viola’s grip on the Europa League is comfortable but far from assured, currently sitting six points ahead of AC Milan and the dreaded sixth spot. Coach Paulo Sousa will undoubtedly be looking forward and not back as he and his side dream of the glory of Europe’s premier competition.
This is the second all-time meeting between the clubs, the first in early November’s reverse fixture saw Fiorentina emerge as 4-1 victors. Ante Rebic, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Khouma Babacar and Mario Suarez put the match out of reach before Alessandro Frara netted a late consolation prize.
Frosinone will be forced to make do without the suspended Aleandro Rosi and injured Aleksandar Tonev and Adriano Russo. Fiorentina will be without Leicester City loanee Yohan Benalouane and Nenad Tomovic due to injury.
Form Guide: Frosinone (W-D-L-W-L) Fiorentina (W-W-D-L-D)
Expected Starting XIs:
Frosinone: Leali; M.Ciofani, Ajeti, Blanchard, Pavlovic; Paganini, Sammarco, Gori, Kragl; D.Ciofani, Dionisi
Fiorentina: Tatarusanu; Roncaglia, G.Rodriguez, Astori, Alonso; Badelj, Vecino, Tello, Borja Valero, Bernardeschi; Kalinic
Infographic courtesy of Sporticos.com
