Cremonese vs Fiorentina: Match Preview

As the Serie A relegation scrap heats up, Cremonese host Fiorentina in a clash that could define their seasons. Both sides are teetering on the edge, with Cremonese stuck in 18th and Fiorentina just above them. And it's hard not to feel for Cremonese; they've dropped points in every one of their last five outings, including a gut-wrenching 1-2 loss to Lecce just days ago. They're winless in their last 14 league matches, which paints a pretty grim picture for this encounter.

Fiorentina aren't exactly firing on all cylinders either, but they've shown glimpses of resilience. That 1-0 win over Pisa stands out, though it's been followed by a heavy 0-3 defeat to Udinese and a stalemate with Parma. Digging deeper, their form over the past month mixes draws and losses, yet they hold a historical edge. Fiorentina's unbeaten run against Cremonese stretches to 18 meetings, capped by a 1-0 victory earlier this year. It's a record that gives them a quiet confidence going into this one.

Injuries are biting hard for both teams. Cremonese will miss Federico Baschirotto, who's due back just after this match, along with Faris Moumbagna, Giuseppe Pezzella due to suspension, and Michele Collocolo. Fiorentina aren't much better off, with Tariq Lamptey returning today but Manor Solomon, Luca Lezzerini, and Moise Kean nursing injuries—Kean's shin bruise might keep him sidelined, which is a blow given his eight goals this season. Still, players like Federico Bonazzoli for Cremonese, who's bagged six goals, and Fiorentina's Rolando Mandragora could steal the show if they step up.

With the league table so tight—Fiorentina on 25 points from 28 games, Cremonese on 24—every point feels massive. I expect Fiorentina to edge this, drawing on their head-to-head dominance and Cremonese's ongoing struggles. They're the ones who should pull through in a match that's likely to be tight and low-key.