Fiorentina appear to have turned the corner as the Viola have looked impressive so far in the new year. Ending 2010 on a losing note, Sinisa Mihajlovic's side have collected five points out of a possible nine so far this month, having yet to lose in 2011.
Last weekend's encouraging goalless draw with Napoli in Naples saw Fiorentina climb the table up to 11th spot and perch on 24 points. Worries of relegation still hang over their head like the Sword of Damocles but a five-point gap, morale-boosting form, a game in hand and desperate run of results of several of the teams below them mean that the Gigliati have a very good chance of not suffering relegation from Serie A at the end of the season.
Fiorentina also have a very strong record at the Artemio Franchi as they have registered six league victories in Florence this season, losing two. The Viola have conceded just eight goals in nine league encounters and will aspire to defeat Lecce.
Resuscitated And Alive
At the end of December Lecce's season appeared to be over. Well, almost. Then came the 1-0 defeat to fellow relegation candidates Bari at home in their opening game of the new year, and a long, awful second half of the 2010-11 campaign loomed.
But every cloud has a silver lining. A fantastic and hugely significant 2-1 defeat of Lazio in Rome reawakened hopes of survival and then last weekend Milan failed to win in Lecce, going back home with a 1-1 draw. Two massive results against two Scudetto challengers, and Lecce have been resuscitated.
However, Lecce must heed caution. Luigi De Canio's side have an woeful away form as the victory over Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico was their first league win on the road this season. Defensively Lecce are the worst away team in the Italian first division, having shipped 24 goals, and have scored just six goals in 10 away Serie A games.
TEAM NEWS
Fiorentina
Vargas, Avramov, Natali, Cerci, Jovetic and Frey are injured for the Viola.
Lecce
Giuliatto and Ofere are out through injuries and Mesbah is suspended.
Prediction
This is a relegation six-pointer that both sides will aim to win. But given that the game is in Florence, Fiorentina will start as favourites and are likely to collect all three points.
Fiorentina 2-1 Lecce 
