Fiorentina midfielder Josip Ilicic. (Photo : Getty Images)
Current league leaders ACF Fiorentina (9-3-0, 27 points) will look to extend their time at the top as they square off with mercurial team Empoli FC (4-6-2, 14 points) at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence on Sunday, November 22nd for a 2015-2016 Serie A season encounter.
Fiorentina is currently on the three-game winning run with their last match a 2-0 thrashing of UC Sampdoria at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on November 8th before the international break, via USA Today.
Slovenian winger Josip Ilicic started things off for Viola with a penalty kick at the 10th minute. Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic then scored in the second half to complete the blanking for Paulo Sousa's side.
Meanwhile, Empoli dropped a 1-3 meeting to last season's winners Juventus at the Stadio Carlo Castellani on November 8th to lose for the first time in four games, as per Goal.
Italian forward Massimo Maccarone was the lone goal scorer for Marco Giampaolo's side as three players from La Vecchia Signora was able to find the back of the net in the match, namely Mario Mandzukic, Patrice Evra, and Paulo Dybala.
I Azzurri is playing inconsistently as of late with three wins, two losses, and a draw in their last six matches. If Giampaolo could make his team play more consistent, perhaps they can move up in the standings from where they are now at the 13th spot.
The prediction is a 3-0 romp for Fiorentina. Barring any early red cards for I Gigliati, this game is theirs to lose.
Fiorentina starting lineup (3-4-2-1 formation): Tatarusanu; Roncaglia, Gonzalo, Astori; Bernarderschi, Badelj, Vecino, Pasqual; Ilicic, Valero; Kalinic
Empoli starting lineup (4-3-1-2 formation): Skorupski; Laurini, Tonelli, Costa, Rui; Zielinski, Maiello, Maksimovic; Saponara; Pucciarelli, Maccarone
