Italian rivals Fiorentina and Roma in Europa League last 16 clash

Italian duo Fiorentina (16/1 tournament chances with Coral) and Roma (8/1) make up one of the more intriguing Europa League last 16 ties, as they prepare to face off for their first leg match in Florence.

The Serie A sides have already faced each other three times this season in domestic competitions, with each getting a 2-0 win while they drew the other.

A share of the spoils may be the best bet too at 9/4, as it was the result in this same Artemio Franchi Stadium in the Italian top flight in January. On top of that, Roma have remarkably drawn eight of their last nine matches in the league.

The capital club, though, are undefeated in seven of their last eight meetings against Viola in all competitions (winning six), so are tempting 11/5 chances for victory, and odds-on favourites at 8/13 to qualify for the quarters.

In three of the last four fixtures in Florence, meanwhile, Roma have come out 1-0 victors, so back that scoreline in their favour once more at 8/1.

For goals, Fiorentina forward Mario Gomez has three against Rudi Garcia’s men this term, but the Germany international misses out, along with other injured strikers Giuseppe Rossi, Khouma Babacar and Federico Bernardeschi.

That means that Vincenzo Montella is without a proper frontman, so will have to rely on Chelsea loanee Mohamed Salah again. The Egyptian has six strikes in his first eight games in all competitions for Viola since joining in January, and is 7/4 to net anytime again.

Other former Premier League players in Fiorentina’s ranks include Micah Richards, Stefan Savic (both Manchester City), Alberto Aquilani (Liverpool) and Marcos Alonso (Sunderland and Bolton Wanderers).