Fiorentina vs Inter Milan Prediction and Preview – 14/02/16

Serie A preview – Fiorentina vs Inter Milan prediction.

Josip Ilicic is hoping to shrug off a hip issue to play for Fiorentina against Inter Milan on Sunday. The attacking midfielder sat out last weekend’s game in Bologna and is a ready made replacement for Mati Fernandez who was sent off in the 1-1 draw. Marcos Alonso has recovered from a minor ankle injury and is set to take over at left back from Manuel Pasqual. January signing Cristian Tello is expected to keep his place on the right wing although Paulo Sousa has the option of partnering Mauro Zarate or Khouma Babacar with centre forward Nikola Kalinic.

Inter Milan central midfielder Felipe Melo serves a one-match suspension which could see Gary Medel taking over the role this weekend. Roberto Mancini has a number of options in attack with Mauro Icardi and Stevan Jovetic expected to be given the all-clear to give the Inter coach a fully fit squad at his disposal.

Possible Line-ups

Fiorentina 3-4-3 formation: Tatarusana; Roncaglia, Rodriguez, Astori; Bernardeschi, Vecino, Valero, Alonso; Ilicic, Kalinic, Tello

Inter Milan 4-3-3 formation: Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Murillo, Miranda, Telles; Kondogbia, Medel, Brozovic; Biabiany, Icardi, Ljajic

Statistics

• Fiorentina have won 4 drawn 2 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
• Inter Milan have won 3 drawn 3 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
• Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Fiorentina have scored an average of 1.2 goals and conceded an average of 1.2 goals per game
• Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Inter Milan have scored an average of 0.9 goals and conceded an average of 1.3 goals per game
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Fiorentina’s previous 10 matches
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 3 of Inter Milan’s previous 10 matches

Prediction

Fiorentina look to have ruled themselves out of the title race following some disappointing results since the beginning of January while Napoli and Juventus picked up maximum points. Sousa’s problems have largely been on the road as opposed to playing at Artemio Franchi where they have only dropped 7 points all season. Fiorentina go into the game unbeaten in the last four and with a psychological advantage from the 4-1 win in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Inter Milan have also lost their way and the biggest mystery is what has happened to the defence? Mancini’s side had the best defence in the league coming into January having kept 12 clean sheets. However, Inter have conceded 10 goals in the last four games and shoring up the gaps will be top priority for the coach. Inter have won one of the last six Serie A games, 1-0 at home to Chievo. They have picked up two points from the last three away games, the most recent when coming back from two behind bottom-of-the-league Verona last weekend.

Fiorentina rarely slip up at home and should prove more than a match for a dispirited Inter Milan side.

Tips

Fiorentina to win at 13/10 with Betfair Sportsbook

Under 2.5 goals at 17/20 with Marathonbet

Fiorentina to win 2-0 at 21/2 with BetVictor

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