Fiorentina vs Sassuolo: Preview

Fiorentina haven’t won in their past four matches and hope to reverse that trend as they host Sassuolo, a team in the middle of an even worse season, who will use this match as an introduction to their new host.

This match will take place Sunday, December 3 at 15:00 CET or 9:00 EST at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence, Italy.

Fiorentina

Fiorentina’s 1-1 draw against Lazio, thanks to a Khouma Babacar penalty in stoppage time, was viewed as something of a moral victory in a season of lower standards. Stefano Pioli’s team is winless in four, including two losses and two draws, and should be desperate for a result against an opponent in an even worse downward spiral than La Viola.

Fiorentina have three wins and three draws in their last six matches against Sassuolo, although with Giovanni Simeone and to a lesser extent Marco Benassi reverting back to their poor start of the season form, they are once again desperate for goals.

With a relatively healthy squad, Pioli is unlikely to make many changes, if any, although there has been an increase in calls for Babacar to get the start ahead of Simeone; either way, one of them will almost certainly be supported by Cyril Thereau and Federico Chiesa, perhaps the only two reliable attacking options on this squad.

If Milan Badelj is available, he will be return to the midfield alongside Jordan Veretout and Marco Benassi; in the back, Davide Astori, German Pezzella, and Cristiano Biraghi are all but guaranteed, while Vincent Laurini is likely to complete the line.

Sassuolo

I Neroverdi have not adjusted very well to life without Eusebio Di Francesco, and are in a relegation battle so far. Coach Cristian Bucchi was fired Monday following nine defeats in fourteen matches, and was replaced by former Palermo and Udinese coach (and, like Pioli, ex-Viola player) Giuseppe Iachini, who has never beat Fiorentina as a coach.

With only eight goals scored, Palermo has the second worst attack in Serie A after Benevento despite some solid Italian forward such as the still slightly hyped Domenico Berardi, Fiorentina target Matteo Politano and journeyman Alessandro Matri, although the squad lacks the shine it used to.

Sassuolo has been better away so far this year, having scored seven of their eight goals so far this year on the road.

Possible line ups

Fiorentina (4-3-3): Sportiello; Laurini, Pezzella, Astori, Biraghi; Benassi, Badelj, Veretout; Chiesa, Simeone, Thereau

Sassuolo (4-3-3): Consigli; Gazzola, Cannavaro, Acerbi, Peluso; Mazzitelli, Magnanelli, Missiroli; Berardi, Matri, Politano

How to watch

Check here for local TV and streaming options. For viewers in the US and Canada, beIN Sports Connect will be the legal, high quality streaming option.

Forza Viola!