In the midst of a battle for European qualification, Fiorentina's final road trip of the 2021-22 campaign takes them to Sampdoria's Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Monday.

Their hosts are still not assured of safety with two matches left of the Serie A season, while the Viola bounced back from four straight defeats to beat Roma last time out; keeping their a top-six dream alive.

Match preview

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Finally halting their worrying late-season slump - including a Coppa Italia semi-final defeat - Fiorentina continued a superb campaign at Stadio Artemio Franchi, as they took an early two-goal lead against Roma last Monday; holding on for three precious points against one of their closest rivals.

Before Serie A's penultimate round commenced, the Viola were therefore locked together on 59 points with both their capital city counterparts and Atalanta, and remain in the hunt for a return to continental competition when the action concludes next weekend.

As they are set to face old foes Juventus on the final day, the pressure to perform on Monday is somewhat increased - particularly given the discrepancy between Fiorentina's form when away and at home.

Vincenzo Italiano's men have conceded at least once in each of their last 14 Serie A away matches - only once have Fiorentina endured a longer run in the last 70 years - and despite their status as European contenders, they have won just a third of their fixtures outside of Florence this term, while losing half.

Nonetheless, before they meet struggling Sampdoria, the Tuscan club have won seven of their last nine league meetings with sides in the bottom six of the standings - even if they did lose their last such encounter to resurgent Salernitana.

The Viola have also taken maximum points from three of their last five encounters with Samp, including a 3-1 win at the Franchi in November's reverse fixture.

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Stumbling towards the end of a testing campaign, Sampdoria have gone winless in five fixtures either side of victory over Genoa in the Derby della Lanterna, and have beaten only Serie A's bottom two since the middle of February.

Still within range of the bottom three - they started the weekend just four points clear of the drop zone - the finishing line is at least in sight for Marco Giampaolo's dispirited outfit, but it has been an abject campaign at Marassi.

The Blucerchiati's 21st loss of the league season came at the hands of Lazio last weekend, as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at Stadio Olimpico; managing only two shots on target.

As evidenced by their lack of punch in the capital, Samp's record of just three goals from their last six league matches suggests that Fiorentina's back four will not suffer sleepless nights before heading to Liguria.

Giampaolo has certainly struggled to turn things around since returning in January, and with Fiorentina and Scudetto hopefuls Inter still to play, a successful end to the term is perhaps unlikely.

Team News

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For Sampdoria's final home match of the season, coach Marco Giampaolo hopes to have on-loan midfielder Stefano Sensi available to feature, after the Italy international missed out last weekend with a muscular problem.

While Manolo Gabbiadini and Sebastian Giovinco are both still sidelined, the hosts have an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from and could remain unchanged, though there is a close contest for the left-back spot between Tommaso Augello and Nicola Murru.

Francesco Caputo should start as the lone striker, and veteran forward Fabio Quagliarella is likely to feature from the bench, having scored more Serie A goals against Fiorentina (13) than any other side; nine of that tally coming in the colours of Samp.

The visitors, meanwhile, have long-term absentee Gaetano Castrovilli and full-back Alvaro Odriozola out of action because of injury, with Sofyan Amrabat also unavailable due to suspension.

Winger Riccardo Sottil has returned to training and hopes to be involved, but Nicolas Gonzalez is favourite to start on Fiorentina's right flank. In addition to converting a controversial penalty against Roma last week, the latter has had a hand in three of his side's last five away goals - one of his own and two assists.

Sampdoria possible starting lineup:
Audero; Bereszynski, Ferrari, Colley, Augello; Vieira; Candreva, Rincon, Thorsby, Sabiri; Caputo

Fiorentina possible starting lineup:
Terracciano; Venuti, Milenkovic, Igor, Biraghi; Bonaventura, Torreira, Duncan; Gonzalez, Cabral, Saponara

We say: Sampdoria 1-2 Fiorentina

Yet to draw a league game at home in 2022, Sampdoria would probably take a point if offered, given the quality of Monday's opposition.

However, their relative lack of firepower could cost them, and Fiorentina are set for a rare away win - keeping them in the top-six mix for the final weekend.

Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

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