Juventus vs Fiorentina
Sitting fourth in the Serie A league table and eight points behind leaders Milan with just five games to go, it looks like the Scudetto is beyond Juventus this year.
Juve were also dumped out of the Champions League by La Liga side Villarreal, so the Coppa Italia is looking like the Old Lady’s only chance to open the trophy cabinet and, with a top-four finish that wouldn’t be so bad.
Juventus won the first leg of the semi-final in Florence thanks to an unlucky own goal courtesy of Lorenzo Venuti, and that puts them in pole position to defend the title they won in 2021.
According to the latest Coppa Italia 2022 betting oddsthe Old Lady is favoured to win the trophy and at odds of 1.20 to make it through to the final she has a big chance. But Fiorentina are available at a price of 4.12 and with just a one-goal deficit to make up, the in-form visitors will still fancy their chances.
The winners will meet either Inter or AC Milan as the Derby di Milano is the entertainment on offer on Tuesday, so, whatever the outcome we’re in for a box office final.
Juventus come into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw at home to Bologna while Fiorentina made it three wins on the bounce with a 1-0 win over Venezia.
Talking Points
Vlahovic can haunt his old friends
The Old Lady’s draw with Bologna was hardly impressive, particularly as the visitors went down to nine men after Gary Medel and Adama Soumaoro had seen red. Bologna took the lead through Marko Arnautovic and it took another goal from Serb striker Dusan Vlahovic to grab a point for Juve.
Since his transfer from Fiorentina, Vlahovic has continued to score for fun. He is second in the race for the Capocannoniere on 23 goals and is now just two behind Lazio’s prolific striker Ciro Immobile.
The 22-year-old has become the second-youngest overseas player to score 50 goals in Serie A, with only Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato reaching that total at a younger age.
Another former Viola player will be on show in the form of winger Juan Cuadrado, whose cross produced the goal in Florence when Venuti turned the ball into his own net.
But Allegri has some key players missing, with striker Federico Chiesa and centre-back Giorgio Chiellini sidelined, so the veteran Leonardo Bonucci will line up alongside Mattijs de Ligt at the back.
Fiorentina have form against the big guns
An impressive run of results has lifted La Viola up to sixth place in the league table and they are in good shape to earn Europa League qualification. A 3-2 win away to title-chasing Napoli shows just how dangerous Fiorentina can be. Head coach Vicenzo Italiano has put together a well-balanced side, with an organised defence and good creative players who can hurt the opposition.
The departure of Vlahovic to Juventus was a blow to the Viola fans, but the combination of flying French winger Jonathan Ikone and striker Krzysztof Piatek has been productive. The Polish international has scored three times in the Coppa Italia.
Former Arsenal star Lucas Torreira is also enjoying himself in Florence; he scored the winner against Venezia last weekend.
While Venuti forms part of an experienced back line, he is a threat going forward and has scored two goals (at the right end) in this competition. Meanwhile, 6ft 5in Serb defender Nikola Milenkovic will be tasked with keeping Vlahovic quiet. Italiano has a fully fit squad to choose from, apart from the doubtful midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura, and he’ll put a strong 11 out to face I Bianconeri.
History
Juventus won their 14th Coppa Italia last season with a 2-1 win over Atalanta as Chiesa scored the winner. Fiorentina have had success in the competition too; they are six-time Coppa Italia champions, the last time in 2001.
With 32 wins to eight over the last 57 games in all competitions, I Bianconeri has had a lot of success in this fixture and, though there have been 17 draws, Juventus have won four of the last five meetings.
In terms of recent form, Fiorentina have the edge, with four wins and two draws from the last six games, while Juventus have won three drawn one and lost two.
We’ll be back in midweek with the Coppa America 2022 highlightsand updates, so keep it here at SBOTOPfor all the best action. But in the meantime, let’s take a look at the best odds on offer for this clash.
Betting Tip
With the draw at 3.16, a Fiorentina win at 3.73 and a Juventus victory at 1.93 this game is still very much in the balance. An early goal for the Viola, or even a goalless first half, will increase the tension at the Allianz Arena and I can see the in-form visitors pushing Juve all the way.
For an alternative bet, 1-1 at odds of 5.60 is the most likely scoreline.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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