Fiorentina face urgent Como test as visitors arrive without Kean and Diao

Four points from six Serie A games have left Fiorentina 18th, so Sunday’s meeting with eighth-placed Como carries real weight for Paolo Vanoli’s side. The hosts need to turn their league form around at the Artemio Franchi; Como arrive on a three-game winless run across Serie A and the Champions League, but with a strong recent record in this fixture.

Fiorentina have recorded one win, one draw and four defeats in the league, with a goal difference of minus seven. Their latest outing ended in a 2-1 loss to Genoa. Across their last five matches in all competitions, however, they have two wins, one draw and two defeats.

Como have the same last-five record: two wins, a draw and two losses. Their most recent result was a 3-2 Champions League defeat away to Feyenoord, following a 0-0 draw with Roma. They have now gone three matches without a win across the two competitions.

Cesc Fabregas will be without Moise Kean and Assane Diao through injury, according to Calciomercato.com. Diao was injured against Feyenoord. The same outlet reports that Fiorentina are without Fabiano Parisi, Riccardo Sottil and Arthur Atta, while Luca Ranieri is doubtful with a leg injury.

The head-to-head record gives Como a counterpoint to their recent results: they have won three of the teams’ last four meetings in all competitions. Fiorentina’s last-five record against Como is two wins, one draw and two defeats.

The match is the seventh round of Serie A and kicks off at 15:00 CEST on Sunday, October 18. DAZN will show it exclusively. Fiorentina need points to move away from the relegation zone, while Como will be looking to hold their place in the top half. The hosts’ league position makes the stakes plain; Como’s recent head-to-head edge gives them a reason to believe they can leave Florence with a result.