Inter captain Mauro Icardi (R) competes for the ball against Verona defender Eros Pisano. (Photo : Getty Images)
Contending squads ACF Fiorentina (14-6-4, 46 points) and Inter Milan (13-5-6, 45 points) are set to square off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday, Feb. 14th, for an as expected hard-fought 2015-2016 Serie A season matchup.
Both teams are coming off draws in their previous matches and will try to snag a win and three points to solidify their place in the overall standings.
Fiorentina settled for a 1-1 tie with 11th-ranked Bologna FC at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara last Saturday, as per SB Nation.
It was a goalless game in the first half as the two team's defense have managed to held on despite the aggressive attacks also coming from both sides.
Viola was hindered three minutes before the hour mark when Chilean midfielder Matias Fernandez was sent off after receiving a second yellow card after fouling I Felsinei's Domenico Maietta.
Head coach Paulo Sousa's boys did not give up, though, as they scored a goal two minutes later courtesy of a man-down shot by Italian striker Federico Bernardeschi from the center of the box.
I Rossoblu was quick to respond, however, as another Italian striker, Emanuele Giaccherini, who is on loan from English Premier League squad Sunderland, equalized the count at the 63rd.
Meanwhile, Inter struggled in a 3-3 tie with cellar dwellers Hellas Verona at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi last Sunday, via SkySports.
Verona raced off to a 3-1 lead before I Nerazzurri team captain Mauro Icardi and Croatian midfielder Ivan Perisic managed to score a goal apiece at the 61st and 78th to salvage a draw on the road and a point in the overall standings.
Colombian defender Jeison Murillo opened scoring right at the eighth minute, but three straight goals from Gialloblu's Filip Helander, Eros Pisano, and Artur Ioniță at the 12th, 16th, and 57th gave the huge advantage to Verona late in the game.
The Argentine striker Icardi is mentioned in recent transfer rumors to China lately as speculations abound that he and La Beneamata manager Roberto Mancini are having a rumored fall out.
Fiorentina is currently at fourth place in the league table while Inter is one point behind at the fifth spot.
The predicted result is a close 1-0 win for Inter Milan.
Fiorentina starting lineup (3-4-2-1 formation): Tatarusanu; Roncaglia, Gonzalo, Astori; Bernarderschi, Valero, Vecino, Pasqual; Ilicic, Tello; Babacar
Inter Milan starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Handanovic; Nagatomo, Murillo, Jesus, Alex; Brozovic, Melo. Kondogbia; Palacio, Icardi, Eder
