Serie A | Gameweek 19

Jan 4, 2025 at 5pm UK

Stadio Artemio Franchi

Fiorentina vs Napoli

Match preview

Having lost 12 of their last 13 away games against Juventus in Serie A, last week's 2-2 draw in Turin was something of an achievement for Fiorentina, even if it extended their wait for a win.

After Moise Kean had scored the Viola's first goal against his former club, Riccardo Sottil's late strike restored parity and kept the Bianconeri just above Juve on goal difference.

Fiorentina may sit fifth in the Italian top flight and be guaranteed a place in the last 16 of the Conference League, but they have taken just one point from their last three league games.

A run of eight straight wins had previously put them in contention for the top spot, but Raffaele Palladino's men have since faltered, with Udinese finally ending their long unbeaten run on home soil just before Christmas.

The Tuscan club have not suffered consecutive league defeats at the Stadio Franchi since the end of 2023, and will be keen to avoid that fate by getting back to winning ways this weekend.

However, they have failed to win their first Serie A match of the year in the last five seasons, with their last home win over Napoli coming in 2018. On that occasion, a hat-trick from Giovanni Simeone - who will be at the other end of the pitch this time - sealed a 3-0 victory.

Since then, Napoli have taken 12 points from a possible 18 at the Franchi, although they only took one point from the two league meetings between the sides last season.

The other meeting between the two sides in 2023-24 was in the semi-finals of the Supercoppa Italiana, which the Azzurri won 3-0, with Simeone opening the scoring.

Twelve months on, Napoli will be watching this competition from afar after failing to retain the Scudetto, but Atalanta's involvement in Saudi Arabia opens up a window of opportunity for Antonio Conte's men.

With one game to go in the season, they can leapfrog La Dea - and reigning champions Inter Milan - at the top of Serie A by avoiding defeat on Saturday.

Under Conte's intense stewardship, the Partenopei have amassed 41 points so far this term, 13 more than at the same stage last term and the most of any club still in the top flight.

In the final match of an eventful 2024, Napoli recorded a 1-0 home win over Venezia - thanks to a late Giacomo Raspadori goal after Romelu Lukaku's first-half penalty miss - and now head back on the road to start 2025.

After losing their first away game of the season 3-0, the Campania outfit have won six of their last eight to go unbeaten, conceding just three goals and keeping five clean sheets. A trip to Florence, therefore, is not something to be afraid of.

Recent Performance

Fiorentina Serie A form:WWWLLD

Fiorentina form (all competitions):WWLDLD

Napoli Serie A form:WWLWWW

Napoli form (all competitions):WLLWWW

Team News

Although Danilo Cataldi missed midweek training due to illness, Raffaele Palladino should have a full squad to choose from on Saturday evening, so few changes are expected to Fiorentina's starting XI.

Sure to start up front is Moise Kean, the Serie A's top scorer with 15 goals in all competitions this season, but Lucas Beltran could replace Albert Gudmundsson in the Italian striker's midfield.

The hosts have already been busy in the winter transfer window, teeing up deals with both Buenos Aires giants: after confirming the arrival of Nicolas Valentini from Boca Juniors, fellow defender Lucas Martinez Quarta appears to be heading in the opposite direction, returning to River Plate.

Midfielder Michael Folorunsho is also set to join Palladino's squad this month, as Napoli look to offload a number of fringe players and bring in signings that could swing the Scudetto race in their favour.

Long-serving full-back Mario Rui has been released and, despite scoring last week's winner, Giacomo Raspadori has been linked with a move away from the club, despite having played 439 minutes against Fiorentina in Serie A without finding the net.

Antonio Conte will again be without defensive rock Alessandro Buongiorno this weekend, but everyone else should be available, with only right-backs David Neres and Matteo Politano in contention.

Possible starting lineup

Fiorentina possible starting lineup:

De Gea; Dodo, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens; Adli, Cataldi; Colpani, Beltran, Sottil; Kean

Napoli possible starting lineup:

Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay; Neres, Lukaku, Kvaratskhelia