Fiorentina vs Juventus

Stadio Artemio Franchi plays host to a handsomely-looking Serie A encounter between Fiorentina and Juventus.

Fiorentina seemed to have reaffirmed their top-four credentials with a 3-1 win at defending champions Napoli on the eve of October’s international break, only for Vincenzo Italiano’s side to spiral after the return. While losing 1-0 at Lazio via a 95th-minute penalty earlier this week might have been a stroke of bad luck, ‘La Viola’ had no excuse for a 2-0 defeat to bottom-half Empoli in their last home outing in Serie A. Italiano’s men will be out to redeem themselves after being knocked down from a three-game unbeaten home league start (W2, D1) against a Juventus side they’ve only lost to once across their last three top-flight H2Hs (W1, D1, L1). The picture looks far more promising at home, where they’re unbeaten in four straight Serie A H2Hs (W1, D3).

Meanwhile, Juventus’ recent performances have flattered to deceive. Yet they’ve won all three Serie A games since a goalless draw at Atalanta in early October, including back-to-back 1-0 victories over AC Milan and Hellas Verona. After three disappointing seasons, Massimiliano Allegri’s men have returned to a Scudetto frame, commencing this round just two points off top-placed Inter Milan, though their away form has been helpful. ‘I Bianconeri’ have delivered a mixed bag of performance on their last three Serie A travels (W1, D1, L1). However, their defensive resilience has been off the charts, with Juventus racking up four clean sheets in five away league matches in 2023/24, except for a 4-2 defeat at Sassuolo in late September.