Serie A Preview: Siena - Lazio

Siena will look to edge closer to Serie A survival as they host an unpredictable Lazio side at the Franchi.

Kick-Off: Sunday, April 5, 15:00 CET
Stadio Artemio Franchi, Siena

Siena Closing In On Survival

Following some up and down form over the course of the season, Marco Giampaolo’s side currently find themselves just a couple of victories away from almost certain survival. After making his objectives clear from the start of the campaign the Robur coach would want nothing more than see out the achievement with a few rounds to spare. Catania have shown huge potential this term and with Serie A safety in the bag, the club will have added time to build for next season.

After last week's derby defeat away to Fiorentina, Siena will have felt they missed an opportunity after holding out the Viola for over an hour, only to concede in the final quarter of the game. The Bianconeri have lacked some cutting edge in front of goal this season, and this has contributed to such going astray. With a similar story costing the Robur in the reverse fixture against Lazio, coach Giampaolo will be looking to his strikers to inspire the side to victory.

A win on Sunday could put Siena ten points clear of the drop zone; a sign of another successful campaign under coach Giampaolo. With rumours of a possible summer move to Lazio the Robur coach will want his side to provide no favours for his possible future employers.

Aquilotti Hit Self-Destruct

After an impressive vein of form during early March, many were tipping Lazio to creep back into the hunt for a possible Champions League place. Unfortunately for Delio Rossi, his side have once again hit the self-destruct button after failing to overcome seemingly easier opposition in Chievo and Catania. Back-to-back defeats has caused uproar from patron Claudio Lotito who has threatened to make wholesale changes in the summer, if the squad do not react to their current slump.

Lazio have proved time and again this season to lack mental conviction when the opportunity to move up to the next level has presented itself. Despite coming under fire on numerous occasions this season, many have been quick this time not to lay blame on coach Delio Rossi. With key personnel such as Pandev, Rocchi, Foggia and Lichtsteiner often suffering from blips in form, the onus has been put firmly on the squad to turn things around.

Given the way the table is shaping up, the Biancocelesti can ill-afford to drop any more points against lower opposition. With his side now lying five points adrift of the Europe League places, Delio Rossi will be searching for an instant reaction from his men as they take to the road in search of a much-needed win. Failure to return home with the spoils on Sunday would signal another disappointing league campaign for the Aquilotti, who started so brightly back in September.

FORM GUIDE

Siena

22 March: Fiorentina 1-0 Siena
15 March: Siena 1-5 Milan
8 March: Catania 0-3 Siena
1 March: Siena 0-0 Genoa
21 February: Roma 1-0 Siena

Lazio

21 March: Catania 1-0 Lazio
15 March: Lazio 0-3 Chievo
8 March: Napoli 0-2 Lazio
3 March: Lazio 2-1 Juventus (Coppa Italia)
28 February: Lazio 2-0 Bologna

TEAM NEWS

Siena

Marco Giampaolo has few selection problems to contend with ahead of Sunday’s encounter. Gianluca Curci is still a doubt after having trained separately during the week with a slight knock.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Curci; Del Grosso, Brandao, Portanova, Zuniga; Galloppa, Codrea, Vergassola, Kharja; Maccarone, Ghezzal

Lazio

Despite returning for action with Argentina midweek, Juan Pablo Carrizo is set to remain on the bench fuelling speculation about his future in Rome. Francelino Matuzalem is still in doubt after recently returning from injury whilst Ousmane Dabo is still out. Delio Rossi has given a second consecutive start to Cristian Manfredini out wide on the left.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Muslera, Lichtsteiner, Siviglia, Cribari, Kolarov; Foggia, Ledesma, Brocchi, Manfredini; Pandev, Rocchi

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Massimo Maccarone put in a great performance in the reverse encounter back in November, but his inability to find the net ultimately cost Siena, as Lazio stole the game in the second period. Currently the most prolific marksman for the Robur this season, Big Mac will be hoping to inflict further misery on Lazio with some sharp finishing in front of the home support.

Pasquale Foggia has proved himself as an integral part of the Lazio side with a string of hearty performances over the past month. After earning a return to the Azzurri set-up in midweek, the Neapolitan will have been disappointed not to have featured in either of La Nazionale’s games against Montenegro and Ireland. Back into action for the Biancocelesti, Il Folletino will want to prove his true worth in his now untouchable starting position on the Lazio flank.

PREDICTION

With some fluctuating form in recent weeks, it is hard to predict which Lazio side will show up on the day. If Giampaolo’s side can get their noses in front first, than they could well hand the Roman side a third consecutive defeat. Given Lazio’s impressive form on the road this season, however, I feel Delio Rossi’s men will have what it takes to just edge the home side and take the spoils back to Rome.

Siena 1-2 Lazio