Napoli vs Fiorentina

Napoli

<p>The hosts sit third in the table with 43 points, firmly in the hunt near the top end of the standings. Fiorentina, by contrast, find themselves in 18th place with just 17 points, knowing that any positive result away from home would be a significant boost in their battle for survival.</p> <p>Napoli make their return to Serie A after crashing out of the UEFA Champions League following a 3-2 loss to Chelsea. Back in Serie A, they have drawn four of their last six matches across all competitions, a run that suggests consistency but also a slight lack of cutting edge at times.</p> <p>Even so, avoiding defeat has been a recurring theme, particularly at home, where Napoli remain a formidable force. They are unbeaten in their last 21 Serie A matches at the Maradona, underlining just how difficult it has been for visiting sides to leave Naples with points.</p> <p>That home strength is backed up by a wider league trend. Napoli have avoided defeat in 39 of their last 45 Serie A encounters overall, a record that reflects long-term reliability and explains their position near the top of the table.</p> <p>Against Fiorentina specifically, recent history also favours the Partenopei. Napoli have won 67% of the last six Serie A head-to-head meetings, regularly finding ways to impose themselves in this fixture.</p> <p>Those meetings have also tended to produce goals. Each of Napoli’s last five league matches against Fiorentina has seen over 2.5 goals scored, with the home side netting at least twice in all of the last four.</p> <p>A 4—3—3 formation with Rasmus Højlund, Elmas and Antonio Vergara in attack is expected against Fiorentina.</p>

Fiorentina

<p>The Purples [DWLDL] travel south in poor form and under growing pressure. They have won only three of their last 20 Serie A matches, a run that has dragged them toward the relegation places.</p> <p>Away from home, the problems are even more pronounced. Fiorentina have lost three of their last six away league games and have conceded at least one goal in each of their last eight away Serie A fixtures.</p> <p>Defensively, the numbers are concerning. Fiorentina are conceding an average of 1.55 goals per away league match, leaving them with little margin for error given their struggles in front of goal.</p> <p>Too often this season, they have found themselves chasing games after falling behind. That is a dangerous habit against Napoli, a side comfortable controlling tempo once in the lead.</p> <p>A 4-3-3 formation with Piccoli, Harrison and Jacopo Fazzini in attack is expected against Napoli.</p>