The Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino will host an intriguing Serie A clash on Sunday as mid-table Torino welcome high-flying Fiorentina. The visitors are riding a wave of excellent form, while the hosts are looking to arrest a concerning slide down the standings.
After a promising start to the season under new manager Paolo Vanoli, Torino have hit a rough patch in recent weeks. The Granata have lost four of their last five Serie A matches, with their only win in that span coming against newly-promoted Como. Most recently, they suffered a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Roma on Thursday evening.
Vanoli was critical of his team’s passive performance against the Giallorossi, lamenting their inability to take the game to a vulnerable opponent. The loss saw Torino slip to 10th in the table, though they remain just five points behind Sunday’s opponents Fiorentina.
A major factor in Torino’s downturn has been the season-ending injury to captain and top scorer Duvan Zapata. The Colombian striker had been in fine form before being sidelined, and the Granata have struggled to find consistent goalscoring threats in his absence.
In stark contrast to their hosts, Fiorentina enter this match brimming with confidence after a superb October. The Viola have won six consecutive matches across all competitions, including four straight in Serie A. Their latest triumph was a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Genoa on Thursday.
That win, secured by a Robin Gosens goal and some heroics from goalkeeper David de Gea, lifted Fiorentina to fourth place in Serie A. With 19 points from 10 matches, it marks their best start to a league campaign since 2015. The Viola now sit just two points behind second-placed Inter Milan as they mount a serious challenge for Champions League qualification.
Manager Raffaele Palladino deserves immense credit for Fiorentina’s turnaround after a slow start to the season. His tactical switch to a back four has unlocked the potential of a talented squad, with the team now playing some of the most attractive football in Italy. The Viola have scored 20 goals during their six-match winning run.
Team News
The hosts remain without several key players due to injury. Captain Duvan Zapata is out long-term, while midfielder Ivan Ilic and defender Perr Schuurs are also sidelined. Left-back Borna Sosa returned to the bench in midweek and could be in contention to start.
With attacking options limited, Che Adams and Antonio Sanabria are likely to continue as the front two despite their recent goal drought. Nikola Vlasic should retain his place in an advanced midfield role.
The visitors have injury concerns of their own, with striker Albert Gudmundsson still out. Moise Kean missed Thursday’s match with an ankle problem and remains doubtful. If he’s unavailable, Christian Kouame may again lead the line.
Midfielders Danilo Cataldi and Marin Pongracic are also injury doubts. Manager Palladino may rotate his squad slightly with an eye on next week’s Conference League match, potentially handing starts to Yacine Adli and Pietro Comuzzo.
Expected Starting XIs
Torino: Milinkovic-Savic; Coco, Maripan, Masina; Pedersen, Ricci, Linetty, Vlasic, Lazaro; Adams, Sanabria
Fiorentina: De Gea; Dodo, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens; Adli, Richardson; Ikone, Beltran, Sottil; Kouame
Match Prediction
While Torino have struggled lately, they’ve actually been fairly solid at home this season. Their only Serie A defeat at the Olimpico came against high-flying Lazio. Fiorentina are in scintillating form, but may show some signs of fatigue after their midweek exertions.
This has the makings of a tight, competitive affair. Fiorentina’s quality should see them create chances, but Torino will be desperate to stop the rot. A scoring draw seems the most likely outcome.
Prediction: Torino 1-1 Fiorentina
