Fiorentina vs Roma predictions: Visitors can strengthen European claims
Fiorentina and Roma will continue their quest to secure European football on Monday night when they clash at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Serie A.
Only three points separate the two sides ahead of the 7.45pm kick-off and a win for the home side would improve their chances of finishing sixth, the position Jose Mourinho's men currently occupy.
The Giallorossi have won the previous five meetings between the pair and they will feel confident about improving that record, having lost just two of their last 17 matches in all competitions.
Team news
Roma's squad should be on a high this week after securing their spot in the Europa Conference League final thanks to their 1-0 victory over Leicester in the second leg of their semi-final on Thursday, sealing a 2-1 victory on aggregate.
Mourinho showcased his skills once again in the dugout and he now has the chance to win another European trophy this month.
The visitors cannot afford to overlook their opponents this week to focus all of their attention on Europe however, as they still have a job to do in the league.
Their Portuguese boss knows his side need to be at the races so is not expected to make too many changes as he wants his team to be ready for battle.
Marash Kumbulla, Matias Vina and Jordan Veretout are all pushing for a start, although Henrikh Mkhitaryan is set to miss Monday's trip with a hamstring injury.
Viola coach Vincenzo Italiano has an almost full squad available to him for Monday's clash, with long-term absentee Gaetano Castrovilli still forced to watch on from the stands.
The stats
Roma have only won one of their last five games in all competitions — last Thursday's victory over the Foxes.
The visitors' recent form suggests they are perhaps not at the peak of their powers although they go into Monday's encounter having kept two clean sheets in their last two matches.
The Giallorossi could become the first team to record six consecutive Serie A wins against La Viola since AC Milan in 2011.
Furthermore, the club from the capital have only lost one of their last nine away league games at Fiorentina.
The home side meanwhile have lost their last four matches in all competitions, having scored just one goal in that run.
Predictions
While Roma have proven to be hard to beat of late, Fiorentina have lost four on the spin and the Giallorossi should be able to emerge with all three points.
On their Serie A travels, Mourinho's side have lost seven games compared to just three at home despite scoring more on the road than they have at the Stadio Olimpico.
However, they have struggled in front of goal on recent away trips, scoring no more than one goal in any of their last eight in all competitions.
Fiorentina might have failed to score in three of their previous four games but three of those have been away. At home, they have kept three clean sheets in four matches.
The visitors may have only won one of their previous five against Fiorentina without conceding, but the signs suggest they could snatch a narrow win in Florence on Monday.