Prediction: Fiorentina vs Juventus

Verdict: Dušan Vlahović to score anytime

Best Odds: 13/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides turning their attention back to Coppa Italia duties on Wednesday night, Juventus will make the trip to the Stadio Artemio Franchi when they meet Fiorentina for their first-leg showdown.

Fiorentina

Starting with the hosts, hit with a stunning last-gasp defeat away at Sassuolo over the weekend, there is no doubt that Fiorentina will be seeking an immediate response here. Eventually leaving the Mapei Stadium with a 2-1 defeat, that result also brought an end to the Viola’s eye-catching three-match winning run. However, booking their spot in the semi-final of this year’s Coppa Italia after coming past Italian giants Atalanta, Head Coach Vincenzo Italiano should still find the mood in his camp at a high. With their sights firmly set on securing a European return for fans around the Stadio Artemio Franchi this season, Wednesday’s hosts have also largely impressed with their continued displays on home soil. Including a 6-0 romp against Genoa back on January 17th, the former Spezia boss has seen his side lose just one of their previous 10 home fixtures across all formats, a run that stems all the way back to the start of October.

Team News

Still serving a suspension, central defender Lucas Martínez Quarta will once again miss out on Wednesday night.

Coming off the bench and finding the net against Sassuolo, January arrival Arthur Cabral could make his full Fiorentina debut here.

Juventus

As for the visitors, managing to pick up what could turn out to be a crucial victory over the weekend, Juventus will now be hoping to find some stability. Eventually claiming a thrilling 3-2 win away at Empoli, the Old Lady also managed to draw a line under their three consecutive 1-1 draws. Knowing that they were lucky to have left Spanish outfit Villarreal with something to show for their troubles in their Champions League first-leg last week, Head Coach Massimiliano Allegri will be calling on his side to lay down a marker here. Knowing that this year’s Coppa Italia is Juve’s most likely chance to lift a piece of silverware, the former Italian champions do have a new attacking talisman enjoying another free-scoring run. Making the big-money move from Fiorentina last month, Serbian striker Dušan Vlahović has already racked up four goals since making the switch to Turin. Bagging a brace against Empoli last time out, the 22-year-old will be looking to haunt his former teammates in midweek.

Team News

Suffering an injury blow over the weekend, January arrival Denis Zakaria is set to miss out on Wednesday night.

Former Chelsea man Alvaro Morata could return up top and partner Vlahović here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Wednesday’s opponents faced off on Serie A duties back on November 8th, Juventus picked up a 1-0 win in Turin.
• Fiorentina have lost just one of their previous 10 fixtures at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, a run that stems back to the start of October.
• Serbian striker Dušan Vlahović has scored four goals since joining Juventus from Fiorentina last month.
• The Old Lady have seen each of their last five outings finish with both teams finding the net.
• Juventus have lost just one of their previous nine meetings against Wednesday’s hosts, a run that stems back to 2017.

Conclusion

Managing to claim an action-packed 3-2 win away at Empoli over the weekend, Juventus will be desperate to keep up that momentum when they turn their attention back to Coppa Italia duties here. Looking to pick up an early advantage on Wednesday night, there is no doubt that the red-hot Dušan Vlahović will be smelling the chance to haunt his former employers in midweek. Bagging a brace against Empoli last time out and opening his Champions League account against Villarreal with under a minute on the clock, the 22-year-old is rightfully regarded among Europe’s elite number nines. Certainly knowing how to find the net at the Stadio Artemio Franchi after his record-break spell in Florence, we’re backing Vlahović to extend on his purple patch here.

Verdict: Dušan Vlahović to score anytime

Best Odds: 13/10

Bookmaker: Unibet