[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 15 - 10/12/06 (14.00 UK)
Sampdoria - Siena

Stadio Ferraris

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Two of Serie A’s most inconsistent sides meet at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Week 15 when Sampdoria host Siena. The visitors were one of the surprise packages of the season up until their recent slump and they will be hoping to continue their decent form away from Tuscany, which is far superior to their home form.

However, Samp will have other ideas after snapping a two-game losing streak with a win at Messina. That result was picked up without influential midfield ace Sergio Volpi, who has been a crucial element for the port outfit this term. His suspension is up though, so it is likely that the 32-year-old will come back into the side in place of Andrea Parola.

Fabio Quagliarella has been another of Doria’s top performers, but he was surprisingly benched for the Week 14 game in Sicily. As if to prove boss Walter Novellino wrong, the ex-Ascoli man made the game safe in stoppage time after appearing as a substitute. As a result, Francesco Flachi is expected to drop to the bench to make way for the 23-year-old.

Although they are currently on a poor run, Siena would have fancied their chances of picking up a point against Inter last weekend when they were awarded a penalty with the Nerazzurri leading 1-0. Unfortunately, Mario Frick was denied by a stunning Julio Cesar save and it was game over. Nonetheless, Coach Mario Beretta is expected to keep faith with the Liechtenstein man and Tomas Locatelli ahead of the more illustrious strike pairing of Enrico Chiesa and Erjon Bogdani.

Indeed, the former Parma tactician is likely to make just two changes to his line-up. Paul Codrea is suspended so Simone Vergassola, who was banned himself for the Inter clash, returns to the side. Vincent Candela is also tipped to come back into the starting XI, with the suspended Luca Antonini making way on the left flank.

Given that last term’s clash resulted in the spoils being shared after a six-goal thriller, here’s hoping that we get a repeat. A win for Siena could see them climb up into the Champions League spots though, while a Samp victory would see them leapfrog their Week 15 opponents. There really is all to play for in this one.

Man on fire: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria) – The young striker has been in excellent form in front of goal since his summer switch from Ascoli.

Last season: Sampdoria 3-3 Siena

Form guide: Sampdoria (L W L L W) Siena (D L L D L)

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Sampdoria (probable): Berti; Zenoni, Sala, Falcone, Accardi; Franceschini, Del Vecchio, Volpi, Olivera; Quagliarella, Bonazzoli

Siena (probable): Manninger; Negro, Gastaldello, Portanova, Molinaro; Konko, Brevi, Vergassola, Candela; Frick, Locatelli

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...7/sam-sie.html