Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 11/5

Bookmaker: Luckster

Already nine points apart in the Serie A standings, winless Fiorentina and high-flying Roma meet at Stadio Franchi on Sunday evening. The Viola are still searching for their first league victory of the campaign, while their Roman visitors are eyeing top spot.

Fiorentina

Stefano Pioli’s return to Florence has yet to deliver, with just three points collected from five matches. Last weekend’s Tuscan derby against newly promoted Pisa ended in further frustration, as Fiorentina were held to a goalless draw.

Pioli’s only successes so far have come in the Conference League – a competition in which the Viola have made a habit of deep runs without claiming the silverware. After brushing aside Polissya Zhytomyr in the playoffs, they continued their momentum in midweek, beating Sigma Olomouc 2-0 through goals from Roberto Piccoli and Cher Ndour.

Still, Fiorentina return to domestic action with grim history looming: they last failed to win any of their first six Serie A fixtures back in 1977. The Stadio Franchi has not been a happy home either, with no league points earned there this season. One glimmer of encouragement is their recent head-to-head record – three wins from their last four home meetings with Roma.

Team News

After rotating in midweek, Pioli should recall his regulars, with Moise Kean expected to lead the line. The striker hit 19 league goals last season and impressed for Italy in September, but he has failed to convert any of his 17 shots in Serie A this term. He is set to start ahead of Edin Dzeko, while Piccoli and Albert Gudmundsson battle for the second forward role.

Tariq Lamptey and Christian Kouame remain Fiorentina’s only absentees.

AS Roma

Roma’s record against Fiorentina has been mixed, with just one win from their last five league meetings – though that victory came in May, when Artem Dovbyk struck the decisive goal in Rome.

Gian Piero Gasperini has overseen an impressive start to his tenure, highlighted by a Derby della Capitale triumph over Lazio. Last weekend, goals from Dovbyk and Matias Soule saw off Hellas Verona, keeping Roma level on points with Napoli and leaders AC Milan.

Defensively solid, the Giallorossi have conceded just three times in seven league outings under Gasperini. However, Thursday brought a rare setback, as Lille inflicted a Europa League defeat in bizarre fashion: despite being handed three chances from the penalty spot, Roma failed to convert, with both Dovbyk and Soule denied by Berke Ozer.

Now the capital side aim to reset before the international break, determined not to lose ground in the title race.

Team News

Leon Bailey remains sidelined, but Paulo Dybala could return to the bench after resuming full training. Gasperini is likely to restore Gianluca Mancini, Manu Kone and Angelino after resting them in midweek.

Up front, either Dovbyk – who netted the winner in this fixture last season – or Evan Ferguson will spearhead the attack, with Soule expected to retain his place despite Thursday’s penalty woes.

Conclusion

Fiorentina’s attacking malaise continues to hold them back, and breaching Roma’s disciplined defence more than once looks unlikely.

While the Viola could scrape a point at home, a breakthrough victory still seems out of reach against Gasperini’s well-drilled side.

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 11/5

Bookmaker: Luckster