Europa League: Juventus v Fiorentina match preview

Italian sides Juventus and Fiorentina will meet for the second time in only five days on Thursday in the first leg of the last 16 of the Europa League.

Fiorentina will be forced to travel once again to the intimidating Juventus Stadium which has seen the home side win their last 12 consecutive games in all competitions as well as all 15 league home matches this season.

Sunday’s league victory over Fiorentina will surely give Juventus the psychological edge going into Thursday’s Europa League game. Despite this, Fiorentina showed they were more than capable of keeping up with the defending Italian champions, equalling possession and producing a similar amount of shots.

Juventus currently lead the Serie A with 72 points and look set to win the title as second place Roma remain 14 points behind. Fiorentina, who are currently fourth in Serie A, have already produced a convincing Europa League campaign, winning five of their six group games, as well as beating Esbjerg fB 4-2 on aggregate to set up this all-Italian tie.

KICK-OFF: Thursday, 8.05pm

PAST MEETINGS...

Juventus 1 (Asamoah) Fiorentina 0, Italian Serie A, March 2014

Fiorentina 4 (Rossi (3), Joaquin) Juventus 2 (Tevez, Pogba), Italian Serie A, October 2013

Juventus 2 (Vucinic, Matri) Fiorentina 0, Italian Serie A, February 2013

Fiorentina 0 Juventus 0, Italian Serie A, September 2012

STATS...

Fiorentina are the only side to have beaten Juventus in Serie A this season. Gisuppi Rossi scored a hat trick to lead his side from 2-0 to win 4-2 last October.

Juventus have only lost once in 2014.

Fiorentina are one of six qualifiers from the group stage who remain unbeaten after eight games.

Juventus have met Italian opponents in 11 previous UEFA games with the record W3 D4 L4 (W3 D1 L1 at home).

ODDS…

Juventus to win: 1.4

Fiorentina to win: 10.0

Draw: 5.0

TV: Live on BT Sport 1 at 8.05pm, highlights on ITV 1 at 6.00pm on Friday