Stadio Artemio Franchi sets the stage on Sunday night as Fiorentina and Lazio lock horns in a Serie A clash that could reshape the fight for European places. Both sides arrive with mixed post-international-break form, so the outcome may hinge on which coach solves the fresher tactical puzzle.
Expected line-ups
Fiorentina (4-3-3): Terracciano; Dodo, Milenković, Martínez Quarta, Biraghi; Bonaventura, Mandragora, Barák; Kouamé, Jović, González.
Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Lazzari, Casale, Romagnoli, Marušić; Guendouzi, Cataldi, Alberto; Felipe Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni.
Team news
Vincenzo Italiano is without the suspended Arthur and the injured Castrovilli, so Rolando Mandragora anchors midfield. Igor remains on the treatment table, pushing Lucas Martínez Quarta into the starting XI. Maurizio Sarri has fewer headaches: Nicolò Rovella is fit again, but Matías Vecino is still short of 100 %. Ciro Immobile, fresh from two goals in two Italy appearances, is expected to lead the line despite slight ankle soreness.
Key battles
1. Biraghi vs Felipe Anderson: Lazio’s right-sided freelancer drifts inside to overload the half-spaces; Biraghi must decide when to follow and when to pass on to Mandragora.
2. Martínez Quarta vs Immobile: the Lazio captain loves to peel off the shoulder of the last centre-back; Martínez Quarta’s acceleration will be tested without Igor’s physical presence alongside him.
3. Luis Alberto’s “third-man” runs: Sarri’s maestro ghosting late into the box has delivered three goals this season; Bonaventura’s defensive discipline is critical.
Tactical trends
Fiorentina press man-oriented in the final third but drop into a compact 4-5-1 thereafter. That mid-block invites switches of play—precisely what Luis Alberto excels at. Lazio, meanwhile, defend in a narrow 4-3-3 and dare opponents to cross; Fiorentina average the third-most crosses per match in Serie A, so look for Gonzalez and Kouamé to attack the far post.
Numbers that matter
– Fiorentina have won only one of their last eight league meetings with Lazio (D3 L4).
– Lazio have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven away fixtures.
– González has scored in three consecutive home games; Immobile has four in his last five against Viola.
Prediction
The xG ledger says both sides will create 1.2–1.4 goals’ worth of chances, but finishing variance and set-piece edge tilt the scales. Fiorentina’s revamped corners (six goals already) meet Lazio’s zonal scheme that can be scrambled by screens at the near post. Expect a tight first half decided by a dead-ball moment, followed by a late open-play equaliser as spaces appear on the counter.
Score pick: Fiorentina 1-1 Lazio
Goal scorers: González 63’; Immobile 78’
