Napoli striker Lorenzo Insigne. (Photo : Getty Images)
Contending squads ACF Fiorentina (16-6-4, 52 points) and SSC Napoli (17-3-6, 57 points) are set to take on each other in a high-profile 2015-2016 Serie A season matchup at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Feb. 29th, Monday.
Fiorentina, who is currently on a two-game winning run and a six-game unbeaten streak, is coming off a tough 3-2 victory over lowly squad Atalanta BC at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia on Feb. 21st, as reportedly by Fox News.
After a scoreless first half, the two clubs exchanged blows starting the 67th minute of the second via a header off the center box from Viola midfielder Matias Fernandez.
The score became 2-0 when striker Cristian Tello scored another one for Paulo Sosa's squad at the 81st before Atalanta defender Andrea Conti pulled his team within a point with a short range shot three minutes later.
Another Fiorentina striker, Nikola Kalinic, made it a 3-1 advantage for the visitors at the 87th, but La Dea's Mauricio Pinilla managed to score another one in injury time to make the score closer before Conti was sent off for a second yellow.
The win pushed the Lilies to fourth place in the league table, only a point behind third-running Roma and six points clear off league-leading Juventus.
Meanwhile, second-running Napoli, who is just five points ahead of Fiorentina in the overall standings, is currently on a two-game winless skid as they settled for a 1-1 draw with contending squad AC Milan at their home field of Stadio San Paolo last Monday, as per SkySports.
Partenopei Lorenzo Insigne drew first blood for Maurizio Sarri's side at the 39th minute, but the score was immediately leveled by Milan midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura five minutes later.
Gli Azzurri seemed to be feeling the pressure of coming closer to a Scudetto this season as they allowed their visitors to control ball possession during most of the game. The hosts were fortunate that their defense held on until full time to share a point with I Rossoneri after the match.
Napoli missed the chance to take over league leadership from Juve because of the draw.
The predicted result is a bounce back 3-2 win for Napoli. It would be a close and high-scoring match against Fiorentina, but Sarri's boys will prevail.
Fiorentina starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Tatarusanu; Roncaglia, Gonzalo, Astori, Pasqual; Vecino, Badelj; Tello, Fernandez, Bernardeschi; Babacar
Napoli starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Reina; Soderlund, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Allan, Jorginho, Hamsik; Callejon, Higuaín, Insigne
