Sampdoria vs Fiorentina preview - Samp out to pile on misery

Sampdoria's new-found swagger under coach Sinisa Mihajlovic could provide the final nail in the coffin of injury-hit Fiorentina's dwindling Champions League hopes on Sunday.

Fiorentina desperately need to return to winning ways when they visit the rapidly-improving Genoan side.

La Viola have lost four and won just two of their last six league matches, with Wednesday's 2-0 home defeat by AC Milan leaving them 10 points adrift of third-placed Napoli and now being challenged for a Europa League qualifying spot.

By contrast Sampdoria have won four of their last five Serie A matches to send them into the top half of the table and safe from relegation.

Mihajlovic, who has been developing a reputation as a tough coach since taking over in November, reporters this week: "We have achieved our first aim. Now we have to set new targets and keep going.

"We're full of confidence, and are not setting ourselves any limits. Victories bring more victories.

"The boys have trained well and I know they will always give me their best on the field. We are trying to get as many points possible. We have no limits."

Defender Andrea Costa should be available for Samp despite fracturing a finger while Nenad Krsticic and Alessio Sestu have been back in training and may play some part.

Fiorentina will be without captain Manuel Pasqual with a thigh strain, while Giuseppe Rossi, Mario Gomez, Anderson, Ante Rebic and David Pizarro are still on the sidelines.