Fiorentina vs Udinese: Preview

The disaster against Roma was not a season ending moment for Fiorentina, but half of that was because things were pretty grim to begin with. Paulo Sousa’s side has had some encouraging moments but current point projections are the worst in five years, comparable more to the Mihajlovic years and Prandelli’s final years than to the Montella era or the earlier Prandelli era, or even last year.

Udinese has had an up and down season themselves, having proven to be a handful for bigger clubs, recently beating Milan, while they lost close games to Inter and Roma.

Fiorentina

Following a rough loss, it remains to be seen if Paulo Sousa will return to a formation with a 4 man backline or continue to try his luck with 3-4-2-1; the suspension of Carlos Sanchez should result in some changes, but it remains possible that Sousa will try to plug Nenad Tomovic into the back 3.

There is good news on the attacking side however, as Nikola Kalinic has been back at training alongside new signing Riccardo Saponara, who is set to make his Fiorentina debut in some way.

Udinese

The Friluani discovered this week that winter signing Assane Gnoukouri, on loan from Inter, will miss at least the next three months following the discovery of a heart condition. Other injured players missing this match include Marco Davide Faraoni and Fiorentina alumni Ryder Matos.

Udinese has a mostly healthy starting lineup however, including that guy Felipe, and two notable Fiorentina killers up front in Duvan Zapata and Cyril Thereau.

Potential Lineups

Fiorentina: Tatarusanu; Tomovic, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Astori, Maxi Olivera; Chiesa, Vecino, Borja Valero; Bernardeschi, Tello; Kalinic

Udinese: Karnezis; Widmer, Danilo, Felipe, Samir; Fofana, Hallfredsson, Jankto; De Paul, Duvan Zapata, Thereau

How to watch

TV: RAI International in North America and BT Sport 2 in the U.K., for more check here.

Online: Legal options include beIN Sports Connect in North America, BT Sport Live Streaming in the U.K., and ESPN Play in Latin America. Check here for local options.

Ted’s Memorial Blind Guess Department: Last Minute Edition

Udinese are not a bad team, but not a particularly good team, and have hardly shown much attacking bite this year. Plus, as mediocre as Fiorentina has been, they have bounced back from bad losses fairly well. A 2-1 win for the Viola seems reasonable; as does a Kalinic goal if he starts.