Fiorentina host Lyon knowing that a win in Tuesday night's Champions League encounter would secure a place in the last 16 of the competition.

The Italians lead by five points over third-place Liverpool with two group games left to play in Group E.

With Tuesday's rivals having already assured themselves a ticket to the next round, Fiorentina hope to join them.

"This is the most important game of our season so far," said Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli.

"I am convinced my players will play a great game."

Prandelli will be hoping his side will avoid making the same mistakes they made in their surprising 3-2 home defeat to Parma on Saturday. The result saw them drop to sixth in the Serie A standings.

"Against Parma we were naive and we made too many defensive mistakes," said former Verona boss Prandelli. "I am confident that whoever steps on the pitch on Tuesday will show more focus and determination."

The last time Fiorentina made it through to the last 16 was a decade ago and Prandelli has urged Fiorentina fans to get behind the team.

"My players need to feel the warmth of the fans," said Prandelli.

"We cannot allow ourselves to be knocked psychologically by the defeat by Parma.

"We have to hit back immediately on Tuesday."

The Tuscan outfit will have to overcome the absence of attacking duo Adrian Mutu and Stevan Jovetic. Both players have notched three goals apiece so far in Europe's elite club competition but have failed to recover from their respective injuries and will be significant absences.

Fiorentina will have to rely on red-hot striker Alberto Gilardino, who scored twice at the weekend. Prandelli welcomes back Per Kroldrup, who has recovered from the flu and Riccardo Montolivo. Montolivo missed Saturday's game through suspension.

Despite Fiorentina seeking a third straight home success, unbeaten Lyon will have plenty of motivation to win tomorrow.

The French giants, who beat Fiorentina 2-1 in Florence last season, know that maximum points against the Viola would assure them top spot in the group.

"Our aim was to qualify to the next round," said Lyon defender Cris.

"We have achieved that and now we have the opportunity to finish top.

"It's going to be difficult because Fiorentina will be very determined.

"We expect a very physical game just like we endured last season in Florence but we were ready and that made the difference."

Claude Puel's side go into the encounter having missed a chance to move two points clear at the top of Ligue 1 after being held to a surprise stalemate on the road at bottom side Grenoble.

The visitors will be without midfielder Jeremy Toulalan and defender Francois Clerc, both out injured.