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

Fiorentina and Juventus will attempt to move closer to silverware on Wednesday evening when they square off in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final.

With the reverse fixture not scheduled to take place until the middle of April, both clubs will want to hold the advantage ahead of the second game in Turin.

Match preview

© Reuters

Whenever these two teams meet for the foreseeable future, it will be dubbed the Dusan Vlahovic derby, and the big-money January signing is now preparing to return to his former club in Juventus colours.

The Serbia international has already represented Fiorentina in this competition since the start of the campaign, but such are the rules that the forward is not cup-tied.

Away from the focus which will inevitably be placed on Vlahovic, Juventus will be attempting to extend their recent unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 matches.

Massimiliano Allegri has witnessed his team concede at least one goal in the most recent five fixtures, but Saturday's 3-2 victory at Empoli has kept Juventus in the Serie A title race.

With some of the teams above them dropping points at the weekend, the fourth-placed outfit now sit just seven points adrift of leaders Napoli, while Vlahovic having four goals to his name in all competitions since his arrival.

Juventus have recorded home victories over Salernitana and Sassuolo to reach this stage of the competition, with only Paulo Dybala netting more than once.

© Reuters

Fiorentina have played more games to reach the last four, overcoming Cosenza and Benevento before recording thrilling victories away at Napoli and Atalanta BC.

Vlahovic was among the scorers as Fiorentina beat the former by a 5-2 scoreline, while I Viola came from behind to beat Atalanta by the odd goal in five.

Sitting two points adrift of fifth position with a game in hand on two of the three teams immediately above them, Vincenzo Italiano knows that European qualification could be achieved through their performances in Serie A.

Nevertheless, silverware is also a priority having gone over two decades since winning this competition during the 2000-01 campaign.

Fiorentina have been indifferent in the league since the turn of the year, collecting just 10 points from their seven matches, suffering three defeats in the process.

Team News

© Reuters

With Denis Zakaria sustaining an injury at the weekend, Manuel Locatelli should return to the centre of the pitch for Juventus.

Alvaro Morata may feature in attack after laying on the assist for the winner versus Empoli, while Mattia De Sciglio is an option at full-back.

Fiorentina midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura was sent off against Sassuolo at the weekend, but his suspension only applies to Serie A fixtures.

Bonaventura and Lucas Torreira are both in contention to return in midfield, while Arthur Cabral will be considered for a start after scoring his first goal for the club.

With Lucas Martinez serving a ban, Nikola Milenkovic will return to the defence after his absence at the weekend.

Fiorentina possible starting lineup:
Dragowski; Odriozola, Milenkovic, Julio, Biraghi; Bonaventura, Amrabat, Torreira; Ikone, Cabral, Sottil

Juventus possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, De Ligt, Pellegrini; Cuadrado, Locatelli, Arthur, Rabiot; Vlahovic, Morata

We say: Fiorentina 1-3 Juventus

Despite Fiorentina being the marginal underdogs, this has all the makings of a really entertaining tussle. The home side will know the importance of holding a lead ahead of the second leg, but we feel that Juventus will still prevail despite the absence of Vlahovic.

Previews by email