Sunday 4th December 2011, 2pm GMT
Roma striker Pablo Osvaldo will miss this visit to his old employers, having been suspended by his new employers - apparently for punching team-mate Eric Lamela in the face after Roma’s 2-0 defeat at Udinese last Friday. The absence of Osvaldo – who was also fined the maximum possible amount by his club (€50,000) – will obviously decrease the attacking threat posed by the Giallorossi on Sunday.
Though Fiorentina have picked up just two points on the road so far this season, they are a much sterner prospect at home, and coach Delio Rossi will be hoping to make home advantage pay as he looks for his first win. He will have to plan without Cesare Natali, who was sent off during the Viola’s defeat at Palermo last week, but the dangerous Stefan Jovetic is likely to return from injury.
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| Jovetic: back for the Viola? |
Roma’s worries up front will be eased slightly by Francesco Totti, if he returns to the line-up as is expected. Totti will have fond memories of the Stadio Artemio Franchi, as he scored a brace here against Fiorentina last season. Midfielder Danielle De Rossi may have to deputise at centre-half on Sunday, following the hamstring injury suffered by Simon Kjaer at Udinese.
The injuries and suspensions currently faced by Roma pose fresh problems for coach Luis Enqique, who is already under pressure after the erratic beginning to his career in Italy. His side were picked apart on the counter-attack when they tried to assert themselves at Udinese last week, and I think they will struggle again on Sunday. This is a great opportunity for Delio Rossi to claim his first win as Fiorentina coach.
Prediction – Fiorentina to win – 3pts
Match odds: Fiorentina 7/5
Draw 21/10
Roma 19/10
