Fiorentina vs Cagliari

Fiorentina

<p>Fiorentina host Cagliari at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, a football fixture with real weight at the lower end of the Serie A table. Both sides hover close to the relegation zone, making it feel less like a routine league game and more like a must-not-lose encounter.</p> <p>Fiorentina begin the round in 18th with 17 points, a position that would have felt unthinkable at the start of the season. In football terms, recent results show some signs of life, with three wins in their last six matches.</p> <p>The broader picture remains worrying. The Viola have managed just three victories in their last 20 Serie A games, a run that explains why even a modest upturn in form has not yet translated into meaningful progress.</p> <p>Home form, particularly against Cagliari, offers further encouragement. Fiorentina are unbeaten in their last 10 Serie A matches against the Sardinians, and defensively they have been near flawless at the Franchi in this fixture.</p> <p>The Viola have kept clean sheets in each of their last five home league games against Cagliari. This historical dominance could prove decisive given their current need for stability at the back.</p> <p>A 4—3—3 formation with Albert Guðmundsson, Piccoli and Fabiano Parisi in attack may be seen.</p>

Cagliari

<p>Cagliari arrive in Florence sitting 15th with 22 points, not safe but holding a slightly healthier cushion above the drop zone. Their away form remains a major concern, with three losses from their last six away Serie A matches and a longer-term trend of just four wins in their last 28 away league games. That lack of consistency on the road has repeatedly undermined attempts to build momentum.</p> <p>The head-to-head numbers heavily favour Fiorentina. Cagliari have lost their last four Serie A meetings with the Viola and have failed to beat them in 17 of their last 19 away league games. These statistics underline how difficult this trip has historically been for the visitors.</p> <p>Goals, however, may be at a premium. Six of the last 10 meetings between these sides have produced under 2.5 goals, and with both teams acutely aware of the stakes, caution is likely to shape the early stages. Fiorentina’s priority will be avoiding mistakes, while Cagliari may be content to frustrate and look for moments on the break.</p> <p>Earning back-to-back victories [WLDLW] following last weekend’s 1-0 win over Juventus will be one of the many objectives here. A 3—5—2 formation with Semih Kılıçsoy and Sebastiano Esposito in attack is expected against Fiorentina.</p>