Action resumes in Serie A at Stadio Luigi Ferraris after a lengthy international break, with Genoa’s quest for a first win of this league campaign facing a tough test in the form of Fiorentina.
Match News and Current Form
Genoa headed into the international break just a point off the foot of the table and three points away from safety after a 2-1 loss to Parma left them winless (D1, L4) in Serie A - one of three sides still to record a victory this season. It’s still early in the campaign though, and head coach Daniele De Rossi remains confident of repeating last year’s escape from the relegation zone, but they still have a lot to prove as, including last season, it’s now ten Serie A games without success, which surely puts the manager under some pressure to turn things around quickly. Yet with just two goals scored at home this Serie A season (of three in total), and no victories across their last five such games, there’s no guarantee of any relief here.
Fiorentina held Napoli to a 1-1 draw in the last Serie A round and probably went into the international break with their morale higher than their league position of 17th might suggest. That’s because the Viola are now unbeaten in three competitive games (W2, D1) since Paolo Vanoli’s return as head coach, and he’ll be desperate to continue that good momentum here ahead of a crucial period for the club. With four of their next five matches after this round coming against current top-ten sides, the visitors cannot afford to slip up here, and four victories from their last seven league trips (D1, L2) offer hope, especially as both defeats in that span came against current league leaders Roma.
Head-to-Head History
Fiorentina haven’t lost a H2H since September 2019, remaining unbeaten in 11 fixtures (W5, D6), with three of those wins coming across the last four away H2Hs (D1).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Seven of Genoa’s last ten Serie A matches produced under 2.5 goals.
Genoa have conceded 2+ goals in seven of their last 11 home league games.
The match opener arrived between the 16th and 30th minute in four of Fiorentina’s last five league games.
Nine of Fiorentina’s last 11 league games produced an even-number of goals.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Milutin Osmajić’s winning goal for Montenegro during the international break is the only time in his last five scoring appearances for club or country (including twice this season for Genoa) that he has ended up on the winning side (D1, L3). Mateo Pellegrino has scored in three of his last four games for Fiorentina, each time netting on or beyond the 40th minute, with two of those strikes serving as match openers.
Genoa’s Djibril Sow was injured on international duty for Switzerland, while Fiorentina seemingly had no major injury scares during the international break.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Recent momentum and H2H results suggest backing Fiorentina to win could be the way to go in this crucial bottom-half clash.
Author: Sridhar Bhamidi
