Fiorentina vs Lazio is one of the picks of the weekend’s Serie A action as an in-form and optimistic Lazio travel to Florence to take on a high-scoring Viola. In their last seven games, Fiorentina have seen 31 goals; meaning there has been an average of 4.42 goals per game across those fixtures. It will, therefore, be interesting to see what happens as Lazio have kept successive clean sheets against AC Milan and Roma. Lazio currently sit in 6th in Serie A; three points behind Roma in 5th but with a game in-hand. Fiorentina, meanwhile, sit in 10th place; 5 points ahead of Sassuolo but 3 points behind Sampdoria, who sit in 9th place.
Fiorentina, as aforementioned, come into this game with a recent record of high-scoring games. Last weekend, the Viola were defeated 3-1 by Atalanta; just half a week after a 3-3 draw with Gasperini’s same Atalanta side in Coppa Italia. Before that, Fiorentina had a 3-3 draw with Inter Milan, a 4-1 win over Spal, and 0-0 and 1-1 draws with Napoli and Udinese respectively. At the end of January, Fiorentina smashed Roma 7-1 in Coppa Italia; perhaps the first spark that has led to the eventual sacking of Roma boss Eusebio Di Francesco yesterday.
At home, Fiorentina have won just two of their last ten matches in Florence; coming into Fiorentina vs Lazio. The last three league games with Fiorentina at home have ended in draws; two of which ending 3-3. Despite this, Fiorentina have lost just twice at home all season; winning five and drawing five. Fiorentina have a practically full squad available to them for the match; with Giovanni Simeone the only doubt, the Argentine likely to be replaced by Gerson in the starting XI.
Lazio come into Fiorentina vs Lazio with a strange run of form. Despite a commanding 3-0 victory against Roma at the weekend, and a strong performance in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final against AC Milan, Lazio are not in too great of a run of form. In Serie A, Simone Inzaghi’s side have won three and lost three of their last six games; not drawing a game in the league in the whole of 2019 so far.
Away from home, Lazio have only won two of their last ten in 90 minutes; 1-0 and 2-0 victories over Frosinone and Bologna respectively. Lazio have seen away draws to the likes of Chievo Verona and Sassuolo, whilst slipping to defeats to Apollon Limassol, Sevilla, Genoa, Napoli and Atalanta. Inzaghi’s side have not looked too confident in their travels and, in Serie A, have won 5, drawn two and lost 5 of their 12 games on the road.
Lazio will likely be without goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, Silvio Proto therefore stepping in between the sticks. With Proto in goal, since the Belgian’s arrival last summer, Lazio have won just once in four games; losing three. Lazio are also likely to be without both Valon Berisha and Wallace; recovering from injuries with the latter expected back within the week.
Fiorentina vs Lazio has an interesting head to head record; with Fiorentina only winning one of their last five home games with Lazio and the Biancocelesti winning the other four. This fixture last season finished 4-3 to Lazio; Fiorentina’s last home win coming in May of 2017 in a 3-2 victory. The last three matches between these two clubs in Florence have seen 16 goals; suggesting that, in tandem with Fiorentina’s recent form, it could be a goal fest on Sunday.
Fiorentina vs Lazio: Predicted Formations
Fiorentina (4-3-2-1): Lafont; Milenkovic, Pezzalla, Vitor Hugo, Biraghi; Benassi, Edmilson, Veretout; Chiesa, Gerson, Muriel
Lazio (3-5-2): Proto; Bastos, Acerbi, Radu; Marusic, Milinkovic-Savic, Leiva, Luis Alberto, Durmisi; Correa, Immobile
Fiorentina vs Lazio: Prediction
It is due to be an interesting game for a number of reasons. The fact that the last three matches between these clubs in Florence have seen 16 goals seems to suggest that we’ll be in for a number of goals; added to the fact that Fiorentina have seen some high-scoring matches as of late. No Thomas Strakosha is a concern for Lazio but the team seems to be in good spirits and, therefore, I think Lazio have just enough about them to edge this match.
Fiorentina 2-3 Lazio
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