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Serie A Week 28 - 16/3/08 (14.00 UK)
Fiorentina - Genoa

Stadio Franchi

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Both these teams have been revelations this season, but have to get back on track after defeats last weekend.

Fiorentina had been on Cloud Nine following victories over Juventus and Everton, but were made to pay for poor finishing in a 1-0 reverse to Siena. That was the first Tuscan derby they had lost this season and left them just one point clear of Milan in the race for fourth spot.

The absence of the injured Adrian Mutu started to make itself felt in that match, as Giampaolo Pazzini in particular wasted several clear-cut opportunities, including a blast wide from six yards. If Christian Vieri gets his fitness levels back and as Daniel Pablo Osvaldo returns from a ban, it looks likely Pazzini will be relegated to the bench. Ndyaie Papa Waigo is sidelined for a week, joining Franco Semioli on the treatment table, though Fabio Liverani should be able to recover.

Genoa are challenging for a UEFA Cup place straight after promotion from Serie B and much of the credit goes to Capocannoniere Marco Borriello. His 16 goals have put him top of the scorers’ charts, although he was caught by David Trezeguet during last Sunday evening’s 2-0 home defeat to Juventus. He’ll be eager to revive his scoring rate with support from Giuseppe Sculli and Julio Cesar Leon.

The Rossoblu are without Matteo Paro for the rest of the campaign after surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Cesare Bovo, Santos and goalkeeper Rubinho are struggling with fitness worries, so Alessio Scarpi should again take the gloves.

That 2-0 loss was their second on the trot after a shock 2-1 defeat at bottom of the table Cagliari. Both these sides are all or nothing, so a draw is the last result to be predicted at the Stadio Franchi. Genoa haven’t shared the spoils since a 1-1 at Livorno on February 10 and Fiorentina last drew that same weekend, 2-2 away to Atalanta. This tie hasn’t featured in Serie A since February 12, 1995, a 3-1 home victory.

Keep an eye on: Marco Borriello (Genoa) – If the Grifone are to cause an upset, then Borriello is the man to do it, having scored over half of the team’s total 31 goals.

Last season: Not played

Form guide: Fiorentina (W L W W L) Genoa (L W W L L)


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Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Ujfalusi, Dainelli, Kroldrup, Pasqual; Montolivo, Donadel, Gobbi; Santana, Vieri, Jorgensen

Genoa (probable): Scarpi; Konko, De Rosa, Criscito; Rossi, Milanetto, Juric, Fabiano; Sculli, Borriello, Leon

Ref: To follow...

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