Fiorentina Vs Inter Milan
Sunday 15th December 2019 – 19:45 Kick-Off
Italian Serie A
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 5/7
Bookmaker: MoPlay
Italian Serie A Betting at 22Bet
(All betting odds displayed were correct at the time of writing: 13th December 2019 at 08:45)
Preview: Last season this meeting in Florence, at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, produced six goals, a couple of penalties and some incredibly late drama. If this latest duel comes anywhere close to that epic, we could be in for some treat as Serie A leaders Inter Milan take on Fiorentina in Serie A.
Fiorentina Vs Inter Milan Live Stats & Betting Odds
Fiorentina Preview – La Viola in dire straits?
Barely avoiding relegation at the end of last season when finishing three points above the drop zone, after failing to manage a single win from their final fourteen fixtures. It would appear as though Fiorentina (13th – W4 D4 L7, GF19 GA23) are going to be embroiled in another scrap to retain its Serie A status unless a solution to the current malaise is found. Unfortunately, a couple of daunting encounters with two of the better performing sides in Serie A this season now await, with table-topping Inter Milan first up this weekend.
Some potentially positive news for the under fire coach Vincenzo Montella is that Franck Ribery is nearing a return to action after a spell on the sidelines. It is questionable whether he will be ready in time for this game, though. As for the bad news, a run of four straight defeats needs arresting, and soon, if the club are to avoid inching closer to the relegation mire. Last week’s harsh 2-1 defeat at Torino (xG: TOR 0.79 – 2.24 FIO) left them five points above that particular area.
According to Infogol, La Viola continue to create scoring opportunities and often triumph in the Expected Goals battle. Poor morale has possibly impacted on the low conversion rate of these chances, which is compounded by a defence that simple cannot shut many teams out – only three clean sheets all season and none in the last seven. Another here seems very unlikely on current form, against a top team and in a fixture which when Fiorentina are the hosts, has produced no clean sheet for either side in each of the past four seasons.
Inter Milan Preview – Nerazzurri to redeem themselves in Florence?
The Nerazzurri at least choose a good moment for a rare off day in Serie A in the attacking third of the pitch, dropping two points following a goalless draw at home to AS Roma (xG: INT 1.65 – 0.23 ROM) on the same weekend that Juventus suffered a rare defeat. Unfortunately for Inter Milan (1st – W12 D2 L1, GF31 GA13) they were not to be so fortunate a few days later, exiting the Champions League entirely after spurning several chances to take the lead against Barcelona before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat at the San Siro.
A huge blow for the club and one that Antonio Conte is not likely to have taken well. He will undoubtedly demand a big response from his players on the back of this, and for good reason, as the league suddenly assumes the status of number one priority. This despite Europa League football now awaiting them in the New Year. All of a sudden this next fixture increases in significance, but happens to be one which has caused them numerous problems through the years.
Inter Milan have not won in Florence versus Fiorentina in their last five attempts, since 2014, and even surrendered a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 there last season. The Conte factor could prove decisive this time around, however. He has, after all, been the architect behind the team’s exceptional league performance to date, having not gone more than one game without winning all season long. Furthermore, not a single point has been dropped on the road thus far (W7). Five of those victories were despite the other team scoring, though, so do continue to give their hosts opportunities.
Fiorentina Vs Inter Milan – Key Facts:
- It is four successive Serie A defeats for Fiorentina ahead of this fixture, while they’ve not won at home since beating Udinese on 6th October (D1 L2 since).
- After seven away games in Serie A, Inter Milan are still to drop their first points, scoring at least two goals in every away outing thus far.
- Last season’s fixture at Fiorentina finished 3-3, thus stretching the current winless run Inter Milan are on in Florence to five (D2 L3).
Betting Summary
This has been a nightmare fixture in recent times for Inter Milan (21/20 Betway). Five previous visits to Florence have returned just two points (D2 L3), one of which coming in last season’s six-goal thriller whereby a 3-1 lead was eventually cancelled out in the 111th minute after a converted penalty from the home side. With Fiorentina (14/5 Bet365) in disarray and Inter Milan top of the standings and desperate to atone for a rotten week, could more drama be in store?
There should be a response from Inter Milan, however this has to be right up there in terms of unwanted fixtures. Fiorentina away has not served them well in recent times, and although the hosts are in desperate form at the moment they do continue to offer a goal threat in most games. Which is interesting, because Inter, despite a perfect away record, have only kept two clean sheets in seven away encounters. After an arduous week, this may not be so straightforward for the league leaders.
