Fiorentina vs Torino
Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence
Saturday, 19-09-2020 @7pm
New-look Torino attempts to overthrow a gradually improving Fiorentina as the Granata venture to Florence on the opening day.
Both teams have brought in a handful of new faces and will be hoping to set a precedent by securing three points in Week 1. Sofyan Amrabat is suspended, so will have to wait for his Viola debut, but Giacomo Bonaventura should start against one of the clubs that wanted to sign him as a free agent this summer.
Ricardo Rodriguez and Daniele Baselli are injured, so new buy Mergim Vojvoda is favourite to start at left-back, even though the Kosovo international is a right-back by trade.
Marco Giampaolo will be wary of his opposing side on Saturday, as Fiorentina were one of the final nails in the former Sampdoria boss’ coffin during his time at Milan, going against the script by winning 3-1 away at San Siro to play a role in his dismissal at the club just nine days later.
Torino have not beaten Fiorentina away from home in Serie A since a 1-0 result in October 1976, followed by 14 draws and 16 defeats.
Hellas Verona vs Roma
Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi, Verona
Saturday, 19-09-2020 @9:45pm
Roma start the season the way they ended the last, with an injury crisis, in this tricky trip to a revamped Hellas Verona.
With several key players out through injury, coach Paulo Fonseca will have to be inventive if he wants to kick off the season with a crucial three points.
Nicolò Zaniolo might not play at all this season after another ACL tear, while Javier Pastore, Diego Perotti, Justin Kluivert, Bruno Peres and new arrival Pedro are all unlikely to feature. Whether Edin Dzeko is still part of the Roma squad by the weekend is another matter.
Verona revamped after summer sales and expired loans, so Mert Cetin could well make his debut against his parent club. Marco Benassi and Adrien Tameze are other new signings who are tipped to start.
Roma are unbeaten in their last 17 Serie A meetings with Verona, winning 12 and drawing five.
The other upcoming Serie A fixtures
Sunday, 20-09-2020
-Parma vs Napoli @1:30pm
-Genoa vs Crotone @4pm
-Sassuolo vs Cagliari @7pm
-Juventus vs Sampdoria @9:30pm
Monday, 21-09-2020
-AC Milan vs Bologna @9:45pm
Wednesday, 23-09-2020
-Bonavento vs Inter Milan @7pm
-Udinese vs Spezia @7pm
-Lazio vs Atalanta @9:45pm
