Big Game Focus:  Fiorentina v AS Roma 

 

Fiorentina welcome an in-form AS Roma side on Friday night looking to get as far away as possible from the relegation zone. On the other hand, Roma have been great this season. They sit fourth in Serie A with 32 points from 16 games. The hosts have drawn with Juventus and Inter Milan already this season and will, therefore, give Roma a run for their money. Here’s the Big Game Focus. Bet on the game here. 

Fiorentina have won just one Serie A match in their last nine. After 16 games, they find themselves 14th with just four wins and seven losses. Vincenzo Montella’s side are just four points above the relegation zone. Despite holding Inter Milan last time out, they’ll need to start winning soon or risk being dragged deep into the relegation mire.

AS Roma have made tremendous strides under Paulo Fonseca this term. The Giallorossi have won three of their last four matches in the league, which has taken them back into fourth. They have won six of their last eight games and head into this encounter as favourites.

Betting preview

The Giallorossi have won four of their five away trips to bottom-half sides. The hosts have struggled at home this term, failing to win against any side above 16th in the table. Fiorentina are without a win in six, while also failing to win 17 of their last 19 league games at home. However, they’ve held title contenders Inter and Juventus at home, therefore, Roma should be wary. You can back and Away Double Chance at odds of 1.40. 

The visitors have scored twice in nine of their 11 clashes with teams outside the top eight and 23 goals against the bottom half teams so far. Therefore, you can back the Away Team to score Over 1.5 Goals at odds of 2.00. 

Both teams have scored in four of the last six meetings between these two. Both teams have found the net in six of Fiorentina’s last eight matches. The hosts have scored in five of their last six home games in the Serie A. For that reason, you can back Both Teams to Score at odds of 1.60. 

Team news

Fiorentina will be without Franck Ribery for Friday’s contest, while German Pezzella is out with a broken jaw.

Gianluca Mancini returns after serving his one-match ban. Chris Smalling could also return despite being ruled out up until the New Year. Davide Santon, Davide Zappacosta, Antonio Mirante, Javier Pastore, and Bryan Cristante all remain out for this one.

Possible line-ups

Fiorentina: Dragowski, Lirola, Milenkovic, Pezzella, Caceres, Dalbert, Pulgar, Badelj, Castrovilli, Chiesa, Boateng

AS Roma: Lopez, Florenzi, Smalling, Mancini, Kolarov, Diawara, Veretout, Zaniolo, Pellegrini, Perotti, Dzeko