Preview: Fiorentina vs. Bologna - prediction, team news, lineups

Vincenzo Italiano returned to winning ways in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, and it remains to be seen if the Viola end the Rossoblu's extended unbeaten sequence in the round 12 encounter.

Match preview

After losses to Empoli (2-0), Lazio (1-0) and Juventus (1-0), Fiorentina return to league action keen to win for the first time since defeating Napoli in gameweek eight.

Italiano's team have had issues in front of goal in those games, failing to score in the aforementioned defeats, with Wojciech Szczesny denying the Viola with several commendable saves in round 11.

Finding the back of the net in the Conference League was timely, even if it is caveated that M'Bala Nzola's goal against Cukaricki was from 12 yards.

The Viola must find a way to secure positive results in Florence again after losing consecutive matches following an unbeaten start in front of their fans that included two wins and a draw.

Defeating Bologna will not be straightforward, and Italiano will hope European exertions in Serbia do not diminish energy levels against the Rossoblu.

Thiago Motta's men are in high spirits after another top result against one of the league's leading clubs in the previous gameweek, with Lazio losing 1-0 in Emilia-Romagna.

After weathering the Biancocelesti's early pressure, Lewis Ferguson netted the game's only goal after being played in by Joshua Zirkzee just after the interlude.

Unlike their opponents, the Rossoblu have had a week to prepare for this weekend's clash as they look to extend their impressive start to the campaign under Motta.

Undefeated since the opening day loss to AC Milan, Bologna have avoided defeat in 11 straight games in all competitions (10 Serie A games), with creditable points secured against Juventus, Napoli and Inter before last week's victory over Lazio.

Having played out draws in all five of their away matches, Motta's troops seek to inflict even more home misery on Fiorentina on Sunday.

Fiorentina Serie A form:

D

W

W

L

L

L

Fiorentina form (all competitions):

W

L

W

L

L

W

Bologna Serie A form:

D

W

D

W

D

W

Bologna form (all competitions):

W

D

W

D

W

W

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Team News

Gaetano Castrovilli and Lucas Beltran are doubtful for Fiorentina and are unlikely to be risked on Sunday.

Michael Kayode's return from a calf issue is not expected for another fortnight, while Dodo is ruled out until 2024 due to his ACL injury.

As for Bologna, Lorenzo De Silvestri and Oussama El Azzouzi are touch-and-go for this weekend's encounter in Florence, but Adama Soumaoro is undoubtedly ruled out until 2024.

Ferguson, Zirkzee and Riccardo Orsolini have 14 goal contributions, and the trio could play pivotal roles for a side keen to claim their first road victory of 2023-24.

Fiorentina possible starting lineup:

Terracciano; Parisi, Milenkovic, Martinez, Biraghi; Arthur, Duncan; Ikone, Bonaventura, Gonzalez; Nzola

Bologna possible starting lineup:

Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Calafiori, Lykogiannis; Freuler, Aebischer; Orsolini, Ferguson, Saelemaekers; Zirkzee

We say: Fiorentina 1-1 Bologna

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