Palermo vs Fiorentina: Preview and Prediction

Palermo vs Fiorentina
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 30 April 2017
Kick-Off: 14:00 UK,
Venue: Stadio Renzo Barbera (Palermo).

With Pescara already set to feature in Serie B this season, Palermo are looking like the second side to be heading down after this weekend’s round of fixtures. The Rosanero, curiously enough, have done better in their travels than on home turf. Albeit, only slightly. They have won two on the road versus a shocking one at the Stadio Renzo Barbera, and that sole win was a 1-0 result against fellow relegation candidates Crotone.

One home win out of a possible 16, whilst losing a whopping 12. It’s no surprise that the Sicilian side are in the bottom three in the league. And they come into this game having suffered yet another setback, with a 6-2 hammering at the hands of Lazio. Meanwhile, Fiorentina’s hopes to qualify for the Europa League have been given a lifeline due to the sudden stumbles by both AC Milan and Inter. They are just three points away from a Europa League berth, but Paulo Sousa definitely won’t be on the bench should they qualify for next season.

Fiorentina come into this game having survived a nine goal thriller against Inter, and they surely will be fancying their chances against a team with one of the worst defenses in the league. The Viola have won four out of their last six games, albeit they did suffer a shock defeat to Empoli in an all-Tuscan Derby recently.

Nonetheless, they have won four out of their last five visits to Sicily whilst scoring at least three goals in their past three away games against Palermo against all competitions. It goes without saying that this is a perfect chance for the Gigliati to pick up three points and further bolster their Europa League changes, especially as Inter face a tough test against Napoli and AC Milan travel to take on a recently in form Crotone side.

Palermo vs Fiorentina: Head-to-head statistics

• Palermo have a record of W1-D4-L15 in their last 20 home games against teams ranked above them in the table
• Fiorentina have a record of W8-D7-L5 in their last 20 away games against teams ranked below them in the table.
• Fiorentina are unbeaten against Palermo in their last eight Serie A games (W6 D2), whilst keeping four clean sheets.
• Palermo have lost 6 of their last 7 matches.
• The Rosanero have also conceded at least 3 goals in 6 of their last 7 matches.
• The Viola have scored at least 3 goals in their last 3 away matches against Palermo in all competitions.
• Fiorentina have conceded at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches.
• Palermo have won just one home game all season, whilst losing 12 and drawing three.

Palermo vs Fiorentina: Prediction

Palermo have shipped at least three goals in all but one of their last seven games. The Rosanero have not won a game since February 5th and all of their last eight losses have been by at least two goals. Fiorentina have scored at least three goals in their last three away games here and have won by 2+ goals in at least half of their away fixtures.

It’s going to be a case of damage control for Palermo, but barring a shocking collapse from Fiorentina, the Rosanero will be joining Pescara in Serie B this weekend.