Fiorentina vs Sampdoria
Italian Serie A, 1400 BST
This is the last day of the Italian top flight in the 2006-2007 season.
Fiorentina hosts Sampdoria in a match very important for the hosts.
Viola's win today means they get a UEFA Cup berth for next season,
no matter what the other teams do today. Coach Cesare Prandelli named
the team he will line-up in a press conference on Saturday: Frey; Ujfalusy,
Gamberini, Dainelli, Pasqual; Blasi, Liverani, Montolivo; Jorgensen, Pazzini
and Mutu. The Romanian superstar is back after a suspension.
Luca Toni's season is over for some weeks now because of surgery, and 
Prandelli has his faith in Gianpaolo Pazzini, the striker which will lead
Fiorentina's attack next season. The coach also mentioned that is very
important his team doesn't concede today. The stats are on his side, as 
Fiorentina hasn't conceded at home five times in a row. Also, they have a 
great attacking force, as Mutu & Co have scored in every Serie A game
at Stadio Artemio Franchi, but for one, the game against AS Roma.
Sampdoria are at the middle of the table and have no concerns, but
there are quite a few absentees today. Captain Flacchi is suspended for
doping and Bastrini, Bonazzoli, Volpi, Bazzani, Parola and Falcone are out
through injuries. Because of this big number of unavailable players, mostly
in attack, where Quagliarella is the only player available (he will be the
lonely striker), Novellino has brought into his squad no fewer than
SEVEN Primavera squad players.
As these were writen, I will put my money on Fiorentina to win today.
The odds are 2/3.