Spezia vs Fiorentina: Thiago Motta’s Eagles better not be underestimated

The match between Spezia and Fiorentina on Monday will close round 25 of the Italian Serie A. Will the Violets finally forget Vlahovic, who moved to Juventus, and beat the Eagles, who are in great form? Let's pick a few options to bet on.

Thiago Motta did it. It's too early to draw conclusions, but at the moment Spezia is showing very high-quality and courageous soccer under the young Brazilian-Italian mentor. And most importantly, they consistently get results. The last 7 matches the Little Eagles played in Serie A saw them lose only once. And they won 4 times during this interval. Among others, Spezia beat AC Milan and Napoli on the road.

In the previous round, Spezia failed to beat Salernitana away (2-2), but thanks to their latest success they are already eight points ahead of the relegation zone. It is still difficult to believe that Spezia can remain in Serie A for a third season. But Thiago Motta and his team are very close to this incredible achievement.

To be exact, Dušan Vlahović, the team's top scorer, who left for Juventus, has already been replaced by two forwards at Fiorentina. Krzysztof Piatek and Arthur Cabral. However, in their first game in Florence against Lazio, the revamped attacking line simply couldn't do anything. The Romans sent 3 unanswered goals to Fiorentina, rendering everyone in Fiorentina speechless. It seems that the team will not be able to qualify for European competitions this season.

In the middle of the week, Fiorentina improved their chances of breaking into the international arena, beating Atalanta away in the Italian Cup quarterfinal match. Piatek made a double, though not a very encouraging one. The Pole scored the first goal from a penalty kick, and the second from an assist after a penalty shootout.

• Spezia: Simone Bastoni, Leo Sena, Aimar Sher;
• Fiorentina: Giacomo Bonaventura, Lucas Torreira.

In the first round of the current championship, Fiorentina thrashed Spezia 3-0 at home. Dušan Vlahović netted his hat-trick.

Fiorentina head coach Vincenzo Italiano will face his former club on the road for the first time in his new role. The pressure of the stands – not everyone in La Spezia welcomed Italiano's move to Florence – as well as lacking the main forward, could well prevent the Violets from picking up three points. Spezia has been playing great lately and is capable of at least not losing to Fiorentina.

Prediction: Spezia will be close to victory in the match against the team of their former coach.

• Spezia Not To Lose for 1.98;
• W1 for 4.00;
• Correct Score 1-0 for 13.0.