MX23RW : Friday, June 4 11:39:40| >> :60:1203:1203:
Nov 22, 2020 at 11.30am UK at Stadio Artemio Franchi
FiorentinaFiorentina
0-1
BeneventoBenevento

Biraghi (87'), Lirola (90+1')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Improta (52')
Glik (18'), Letizia (53'), Hetemaj (74')

Preview: Fiorentina vs. Benevento - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Serie A clash between Fiorentina and Benevento, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Benevento will be looking to bring an end to their four-match losing streak in Serie A when they take on Fiorentina at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday.

The visitors have slipped down to 16th place but are just two points behind Fiorentina, who are playing for the first time under new head coach Cesar Prandelli.


Match preview

Benevento manager Filippo Inzaghi pictured in September 2020© Reuters

Benevento may be on a bad run of form, but they can perhaps take solace from the fact that they are doing better than their last top-flight campaign in 2017-18.

On that occasion, they lost an Italian-record 14 successive games to begin the campaign and spent all but one week of the season at the bottom of the division.

It took the Sorcerers just one match to get off the mark this time around, beating Sampdoria 3-2 away on the opening matchday, and they have also since defeated Bologna 1-0.

However, since that high point they have lost four in a row in the league and five on the spin overall, most recently going down 3-0 at home to Spezia.

Like three seasons ago, keeping out opponents is proving to be a major issue, with no team conceding more than their 20 goals this term.

Cesare Prandelli, now in charge of Fiorentina, pictured in April 2019© Reuters

That is something Fiorentina will be looking to take advantage of, though La Viola fired blanks in their 2-0 loss to Roma and 0-0 draw with Parma before the two-week break.

Sunday's match will be the first in charge for Prandelli in his second spell at the club following the sacking of Beppe Iachini.

Prandelli was previously in charge from 2005 to 2010, making him Fiorentina's longest-serving coach of all time.

The returning coach will be looking to build on what has been a good record on home soil for his side, having won four of their last five at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

La Viola also have a good record against this weekend's opponents, winning their previous two Serie A matches by an aggregate score of 4-0.

Fiorentina Serie A form: LLDWLD
Fiorentina form (all competitions): LDWWLD

Benevento Serie A form: LWLLLL
Benevento form (all competitions): WLLLLL


Team News

Franck Ribery in action for Fiorentina in September 2020© Reuters

Prandelli has hinted that he will alter Fiorentina's formation to a 4-3-3 of sorts, but he is expected to be without Jose Callejon this weekend so a rethink may be required.

Franck Ribery is likely to play a key part under Prandelli and is fully fit for this weekend's match after a two-week breather.

However, there are question marks over the availability of a number of other players due to coronavirus travel restrictions, with Dusan Vlahovic among those who may miss out.

As for Benevento, Gianluca Caprari is serving a suspension so Marco Sau is in line to start up top.

Alessandro Tuia is the visitors' only fitness doubt, with Iago Falque thought to be back in contention.

Falque has not scored in his last nine league matches - only between September and December 2015 has he gone on a longer run in the competition (11 with Roma).

Fiorentina possible starting lineup:
Dragowski; Lirola, Milenkovic, Pezzella, Biraghi; Amrabat, Pulgar, Castrovilli; Ribery; Kouame, Cutrone

Benevento possible starting lineup:
Montipo; Maggio, Glik, Caldirola, Letizia; Ionita, Schiattarella, Dabo; Insigne, Lapadula, Sau


SM words green background

We say: Fiorentina 1-0 Benevento

Fiorentina are embarking on another new chapter and will be eager to get off to a winning start under Prandelli.

The hosts may have gone two games without a win and a goal, ultimately leading to Iachini's exit, but this is the perfect match for them to put that right against a badly out of form Benevento side.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


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Fiorentina head coach Giuseppe Iachini pictured in September 2020
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CInter Milan38287389355491
2AC Milan38247774413379
3Atalanta BCAtalanta38239690474378
4Juventus38239677383978
5Napoli38245986414577
6Lazio38215126155668
7Roma381881268581062
8SassuoloSassuolo381711106456862
9Sampdoria38157165254-252
10Hellas VeronaHellas Verona381112154648-245
11Genoa381012164758-1142
12Bologna381011175165-1441
13Fiorentina38913164759-1240
14Udinese381010184258-1640
15SpeziaSpezia38912175272-2039
16CagliariCagliari38910194359-1637
17Torino38716155069-1937
RBeneventoBenevento38712194075-3533
RCrotone3865274592-4723
RParma38311243983-4420

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