Fiorentina vs Monza prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-08-31 16:30.
[p]Despite having now played four competitive games of the 2024/25 campaign, Fiorentina are still waiting for their first victory in regular time (D4). But Thursday night’s penalty shootout success against Puskás, which secured them a spot in the UEFA Conference League proper, could prove to be the launchpad they need to kick start their season, especially as they secured progression despite finishing the game with just nine men! [/p]
[p]Fiorentina could potentially draw three successive Serie A games for the first time since June 2020 here, but the sight of Monza in the opposition dressing room should inspire belief they can go one better. La Viola beat them here as recently as May (2-1) to extend their unbeaten home H2H run to three games (W2, D1), while it’s worth noting they tasted defeat in just one of the 12 home games against sides who finished below them last season (W7, D4), highlighting their supremacy when burdened with the weight of expectation. [/p]
[p]Monzo come into the round as one of only two Serie A sides yet to get on the scoresheet after they followed up the opening day goalless draw with Empoli by losing 1-0 to Genoa. That’s not really the impact new manager Alessandro Nesta would have hoped for, and now his side face the prospect of potentially playing out a 12th successive Serie A contest without a victory (D4, L7). [/p]
[p]Monza should at least have a physical edge over their opponents having had longer time to rest and prepare, but against one of the stronger sides in the division, even that might not be enough. This is a point highlighted by the fact they secured just one victory from 20 games against teams who finished inside Serie A’s top ten last season, scoring in only two of the ten away matches (D3, L7). [/p]
[p]Key battle: New goalkeeper David de Gea was crucial to Fiorentina’s success on Thursday, making eight saves in total – the most he’s made in a game since nine against Roma playing for Manchester United in May 2021. With goals in short supply, Monza will be pleased Milan Đurić made his return from injury last week – his last league strike came against Fiorentina in May’s 2-1 loss here, something he’s all too familiar with against this opponent, losing four of five personal H2Hs.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Monza have conceded at least once before half-time in five of their last six Serie A matches. [/p]
[p][i]Written by David H [/i][/p]