The first game of the weekend is nearly upon us in Florence where Fiorentina will take on a resurgent Catania side.

After a slow start to their season southerners Catania have achieved noticeable results especially the brilliant 2-1 home victory over Inter Milan last Saturday.  Obviously manager Vincenzo Montella will be looking to have his squad continue their run by shooting for another victory in Florence.  In taking Inter to the sword, the former Roma manager-player relied upon goalscorers Sergio Almiron and Francesco Lodi (from the penalty) and with eight points from their last fifteen, confidence is building when needed most in facing their former tactician Sinisa Mihajlovic.

The Elefanti have shown to be very attack minded in the last three outings and this without talisman Maxi Lopez, who has found himself on the bench, being dropped for Gonzalo Bergessio. Bergessio has impressed recently, he also won the penalty for Lodi to score last weekend. The reverse side of the coin for Catania is of course injures to their core of support including Pablo Alvarez, David Suazo and Cristian Llama.

Fiorentina on the other hand have been going through their own problems recently as manager Mihajlovic’s head could be on the platter with the disappointing recent results. A loss to Lazio just before international break at home and then a disappointing nil-nil draw away to bottom of the table Cesena has exposed once more cracks in the team fresco.

One of the main puzzle pieces is Juan Vargas and it is discipline which requires attention. The Peruvian international has caused a stir in Italy and back home in Peru. He was dropped against Cesena last week due to what the club has called “unprofessional behaviour”, with reasons for attributed to the player’s nighttime activities, staying out late before big game in Italy and back in Peru. With a week absent from the squad, it looks likely Vargas will be back in the starting lineup to face his former side.

The second problem currently facing our hosts is the lack of goals in part due to injury of  striker Alberto Gilardino and clearly the Viola are missing him.  Replacement Santiago Silva nicknamed the tank, has struggled since his introduction to the team but give him time and he will deliver as he did for Argentinian club Velez last season.

This game on Saturday pips up both Sinisa Mihajlovic and winger Juan Vargas against the old team in Catania and hope to give Fiorentina the victory.

Prediction

Catania are coming of a brilliant win at home to Inter Milan and have picked up creditable draws against Novara and Juventus and with Fiorentina’s brittle confidence and recent lack of form I would not be surprised if the visitors return home from the Artemio Franchi with all three points.

Probable Starting XI

Fiorentina (4-3-3): Boruc; Cassani, Gamberini, Natali, Pasqual; Montolivo, Beharmi, Cerci; Jovetic, Vargas, Santiago Silva.

Catania (5-3-2): Andjuar; Marchese, Legrottaglie, Belluschi, Izco, Almiron; Lodi, Ledesma, Lanzafame; Bergessio, Gomez.