Serie A Preview: Siena vs Sampdoria

 

Kick-Off: Sunday, February 7, 2010, 15:00 CET.
Stadio Artemio Franchi, Siena.
Rock-Bottom

Siena might have given Roma quite a scare as they narrowly went down 2-1 in Rome last weekend but the Tuscan side remain at the foot of Serie A with just 13 points from 22 games.

Siena are seven points from safety and it looks increasingly unlikely that they would be able to cover for lost ground and lost points. They have lost three of the matches they have played in the New Year so far and they could lose on Sunday afternoon too.

Siena also have the division’s worst defensive record, having conceded 44 goals.

Flying Again

Sampdoria appear to have come out of their mid-season slump and look to be picking up momentum. Ahead of this weekend’s round of matches, the Genoa-based side are seventh in the table with 33 points from 22 games.

Sampdoria defeated Udinese 3-2 away and then won 2-0 against Atalanta last weekend. Samp would be hoping for a hat-trick of wins and there is little to suggest that it wouldn’t happen given that they are playing bottom side Siena this weekend.

FORM GUIDE

Siena

January 31 v Roma (A) – LOST 2-1 (Serie A)

January 24 v Cagliari (H) – DREW 1-1 (Cagliari)

January 17 v Milan (A) – LOST 4-0 (Serie A)

January 9 v Inter (A) – LOST 4-3 (Serie A)

January 6 v Fiorentina (H) – LOST 5-1 (Serie A)

Sampdoria

January 31 v Atalanta (H) – WON 2-0 (Serie A)

January 24 v Udinese (A) – WON 3-2 (Serie A)

January 17 v Catania (H) – DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

January 10 v Napoli (A) – LOST 1-0 (Serie A)

January 6 v Palermo (H) – DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

TEAM NEWS

Siena

Parravicini, Brandao and Rossettini have been ruled out of this fixture while Del Grosso, Maccarone and Codrea are struggling to recover fitness. Rosi is suspended.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Curci, Malago, Cribari, Pratali, Del Grosso; Vergassola, Codrea, Ekdal; Reginaldo, Maccarone, Jajalo

Sampdoria

Castellazzi and Antonio Cassano are out while Ziegler, Rossi and Pozzi are doubtful. Padalino is suspended.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Storari, Zauri, Gastaldello, Lucchini, Ziegler; Semioli, Palombo, Tissone, Mannini; Pazzini, Pozzi

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Massimo Maccarone (Siena)

The former Middlesbrough player has been one of the better strikers to watch so far in the New Year. Maccarone scored two sensational goals for Siena against Inter and took his goals tally to eight in the league. Maccarone would be Siena’s main weapon against Sampdoria.

Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria)

Pazzini scored against Atalanta last weekend to take his goals tally to 11 in the league. He has recovered his early season form after struggling a bit and would be the most dangerous player for Siena on Sunday afternoon.

PREDICTION

Sampdoria should win by at least three clear goals.

Siena 0-3 Sampdoria