Fiorentina will be looking to finish at the top of Group A in the Europa Conference League when they travel to Latvia to face Rigas Futbola Skola on Thursday night.
La Viola have already qualified for the knockout rounds, while RFS have been eliminated and are guaranteed to finish bottom of the group.
Match preview
Competing in their first ever European group-stage campaign, RFS are one of only six teams who are yet to win any of their first five Europa Conference League matches this season.
However, the Latvian outfit managed to hold Fiorentina to a 1-1 draw in Italy on matchday one, with Andrej Ilic scoring a 74th-minute equaliser. Viktors Morozs's side also picked up a point at home against Istanbul Basaksehir at the beginning of October, holding on for a goalless stalemate with 10 men for the final half-hour.
Three defeats in their last four group games, including last week's 2-1 away loss to Hearts, have ultimately sealed fourth place for RFS, who now have a battle on their hands to qualify for next season's competition with their domestic campaign on the verge of completion.
Last season's Latvian top-flight champions cannot retain their title after playing out a 1-1 draw with current league leaders Valmiera, who sit seven points clear of Morozs's side in third with just two games remaining. RFS are only three points ahead of Liepaja in fourth and know that finishing outside the top three will end their hopes of European qualification.
While upcoming domestic fixtures are sure to be on the minds of RFS players and staff, they will be keen to end their Group A campaign on a high with a strong showing against Fiorentina.
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After accumulating just one point from their first two group matches, Fiorentina have since won their last three games including a crucial 2-1 home victory against Basaksehir.
Danijel Aleksic put Basaksehir in front before goals either side of half time from Luka Jovic turned the game on its head for La Viola, who are now level on points with the Turkish club at the top of Group A.
Vincenzo Italiano's side followed up their midweek win with another 2-1 victory, this time away against Spezia in Serie A on Sunday, with Arthur Cabral coming off the bench to net a dramatic 90th-minute winner to secure their first away win of the season.
Following an indifferent start to the campaign, winning only four of their first 14 games across all competitions, spirits are now high among the Fiorentina camp and they will be keen to build on their momentum with another victory in their final Europa Conference League group game on Thursday.
La Viola need to better Basaksehir's result at home against Hearts if they are to finish at the summit of Group A and head straight into the last 16. Failing to secure top spot will mean they will be forced into the playoff round where they will face a team dropping down from the Europa League.
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Team News
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RFS will be without centre-back Vitalijs Jagodinskis after he was shown a straight red card in the dying embers of their defeat at Hearts last week, while forward Darko Lemajic is still sidelined with a muscle injury.
Either Kaspars Dubra or Elvis Stuglis is set to replace Jagodinskis in defence, joining Vladislavs Sorokins, Ziga Lipuscek and Petr Mares in the back four.
Top scorer Andrej Ilic, who has netted 17 times in 32 appearances so far this season, is expected to lead the line, with support provided in attack by Kevin Friesenbichler.
As for Fiorentina, Nicolas Gonzalez is ruled out with a hamstring injury, while Gaetano Castrovilli (knee) and Riccardo Sottil (back) are both doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Brazilian defender Igor will be hoping to return to the first XI ahead of Lucas Martinez Quarta, while Antonin Barak could be handed a start in centre-midfield ahead of Giacomo Bonaventura.
After scoring the winner against Spezia last weekend, Cabral will be pushing to start in attack, but Jovic – who has scored four goals in five Europa Conference League games this term – is expected to get the nod up front.
Rigas Futbola Skola possible starting lineup:
Steinbors, Sorokins, Dubra, Lipuscek, Mares; Panic, Jatta; Simkovic, Friesenbichler, Deocleciano; Ilic
Fiorentina possible starting lineup:
Terracciano; Dodo, Milenkovic, Igor, Biraghi; Barak, Amrabat, Mandragora; Ikone, Jovic, Kouame
We say: Rigas Futbola Skola 0-2 Fiorentina
There is more riding on this fixture for Fiorentina who are aware that a victory could secure top spot in Group A and an immediate route into the last 16.
RFS frustrated Fiorentina in the reverse fixture, but we can see the Italian side coming away with a routine win on this occasion.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
