Napoli need a victory at the Stadio Franchi to keep up the pace with Serie A leaders Juventus, but the Viola want European places.

It kicks off at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), follow the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.

Last night’s controversial Derby d’Italia saw Juventus beat 10-man Inter 3-2 in the final minutes, temporarily opening the gap at the top to four points.

Napoli need a victory at the Stadio Franchi to keep up the pace with Serie A leaders Juventus, but the Viola want European places.

It kicks off at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), follow the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.

Last night’s controversial Derby d’Italia saw Juventus beat 10-man Inter 3-2 in the final minutes, temporarily opening the gap at the top to four points.

A victory is therefore essential here for the Partenopei, who have the usual full squad to choose from, save for injured Faouzi Ghoulam.

Their confidence is sky high after the 1-0 win away to Juve and the 10,000 who waited all night to greet them back at the airport following Kalidou Koulibaly’s towering header.

Despite his on-going goal drought, Dries Mertens continues to hold off competition from Arkadiusz Milik to start upfront, with Allan, Jorginho and Marek Hamsik in midfield.

Fiorentina are still in contention for a place in the Europa League, although their hopes are somewhat slim at this stage after a defeat to Sassuolo.

Bryan Dabo was sent off in that match and is therefore suspended, with Vitor Hugo and Simone Lo Faso inured.

The good news is the return of Milan Badelj a month after he picked up an injury on international duty.

It’s a special match for Federico Chiesa, who has been the subject of a reported €40m offer from Napoli, as he and Riccardo Saponara support Giovanni Simeone.

The Viola have won only one of their last 15 Serie A meetings with Napoli, home and away, drawing seven and losing seven. That lone result was 1-0 at the San Paolo in March 2014.

The Partenopei are unbeaten at the Stadio Franchi since January 2009, emerging with four wins and as many stalemates.

Last season, this was a ludicrously entertaining 3-3 draw and neutrals can only hope for something similar today.

Fiorentina: Sportiello; Laurini, Milenkovic, Pezzella, Biraghi; Veretout, Badelj, Benassi; Saponara, Chiesa; Simeone

Napoli: Reina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Rui; Allan, Jorginho, Hamsik; Callejon, Mertens, Insigne

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *