Fiorentinavs.LASK

While the Serie A high-flyers are intent on securing direct entry to the knockout phase, LASK are battling elimination and have yet to win in the inaugural league phase.

Match preview

Beginning an eventful fortnight in Florence, last month's 3-2 home win over Pafos saw Fiorentina get back on track following their first Conference League defeat of the season, lifting the Tuscan club up to sixth in the standings.

With nine points accrued so far, the Viola are on course for a place in the next stage, as they attempt to go one better than falling at the final hurdle in both of their last two continental campaigns.

Following that success at Stadio Franchi, Raffaele Palladino's side had their next game, against Inter Milan, abandoned when Edoardo Bove collapsed on the pitch; the Roma-owned midfielder was rushed to hospital, where he ultimately made a recovery in intensive care.

Days later, they were turfed out of the Coppa Italia by local rivals Empoli, via a dramatic penalty shootout that featured main marksman Moise Kean missing a crucial spot kick.

There was precious little time to reflect on that setback amid a packed pre-Christmas schedule, as Fiorentina then went on to extend their remarkable winning streak in Serie A, posting an eighth straight league success at Cagliari's expense.

Victory on Sunday - secured by a first-half strike from Danilo Cataldi, who paid tribute to Bove with his goal celebration - took the Viola past 30 points at this stage of a season for the first time ever, in addition to equalling a 64-year-old club record for consecutive wins.

While Fiorentina are just three points off top spot in Italy and on track for a place in the Conference League's last 16, LASK are still looking for their first league-phase win of the season.

Last month's 2-1 away loss to Borac Banja Luka saw the Austrian side seize a precious lead through Valon Berisha's opener midway through the first half, despite going down to 10 men after just seven minutes.

However, they eventually conceded two late goals as legs began to tire, leaving Die Schwarz-Weissen with only two points from four matches so far.

Occupying 32nd place in the 36-team table with just two rounds remaining, LASK are therefore in line to be eliminated without even getting a second chance to progress via the playoffs.

In the Austrian Bundesliga, Markus Schopp's side are being plagued by inconsistency, most recently following back-to-back wins with consecutive defeats.

Saturday's loss at Wolfsberg leaves the Linz club inside the bottom half of their domestic standings, so they will now travel to Tuscany more in hope than expectation.

Fiorentina Conference League form:

D

W

W

W

L

W

Fiorentina form (all competitions):

L

W

W

W

L

W

LASK Linz Conference League form:

D

L

D

L

LASK Linz form (all competitions):

D

W

W

L

L

L

Team News

Fiorentina boss Raffaele Palladino is set to rotate his squad on Thursday evening, as cup goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano comes in for David de Gea amid numerous changes that take place for European fixtures.

After making a rare Serie A start at the weekend, Jonathan Ikone - the Viola's top Conference League scorer this term, with three goals - could keep his place, as several regulars are rested ahead of Sunday's trip to Bologna.

Palladino has almost everyone available, with the sole exception being Edoardo Bove, who will now have a removable defibrillator fitted after his cardiac arrest in the abandoned game against Inter.

Meanwhile, LASK will be missing a number of players; most notably, goalkeeper Jorg Siebenhandel must serve a suspension for his dismissal in last month's loss to Borac in Bosnia.

Veteran defender Jerome Boateng joins Lenny Pintor, Tobias Lawal and Moses Usor on the sidelines due to injury, but Filip Stojkovic is back in the fold following a domestic ban.

Either Marin Ljubicic or Austria international Maximilian Entrup should start up front for the visitors, with support from ex-Lazio man Valon Berisha.

Fiorentina possible starting lineup:

Terracciano; Kayode, Martinez Quarta, Ranieri, Biraghi; Richardson, Mandragora; Ikone, Gudmundsson, Sottil; Kouame

LASK Linz possible starting lineup:

Jungwirth; Stojkovic, Ziereis, Smolcic, Bello; Talovierov, Bogarde; Flecker, Zulj, Berisha; Ljubicic

We say: Fiorentina 2-0 LASK Linz

Although maintaining their Serie A win-streak is Fiorentina's top priority, they should still have too much firepower for LASK to handle, having averaged over two goals per game in this season's Conference League.

Written by

Jonathan O'Shea

Previews by email