[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 20 - 21/1/07 (14.00 UK)
Siena - Chievo

Stadio Franchi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The second round of League fixtures begins this weekend and both Siena and their opponents are perilously close to the wrong end of the table. They know that one slip, especially in these head-on clashes, could be fatal. The Artemio Franchi welcomes Chievo Verona on Sunday for what promises to be another tight game for both sides.

Siena’s last Serie A win came against Ascoli at the end of October, since then it has been nothing but draws and defeats for the Bianconeri. It is a slump that has seen them drop from Champions League territory to 13th in the League. Last week’s draw against Lazio ranks among their better results of recent times. They battled hard and got a point in Rome thanks to Francesco Cozza’s late goal.

The Coach, Mario Beretta, will know, however, that it is time to remind the fans what it feels like to win three points and he will certainly not want to fall any lower into the danger zone. The side is likely to be left relatively unchanged with the defensive four getting the thumbs up from Beretta. Tomas Locatelli could move into midfield in place of Daniele Corvia. This would allow the hero of the last game, Cozza, to be given a rare start behind lone striker Mario Frick.

The away side lie only two places behind their opponents in the table and salvation suddenly seems somewhat more than a pipe-dream for the Flying Donkeys. Despite going 1-0 down to in- form Catania last time out, Chievo showed real character in the second half and came away from the game with three very important points. The match saw seven bookings, but most important of all, it saw a side that is not going down without a fight.

Coach Luigi Del Neri will want to keep the positive streak going and will surely see this game as a chance to put some real light between his side and the nether regions of the League table. It looks as though, just like his opposite number, the away side’s boss will only make one change from the 11 that won last time out. Victor Obinna will probably be welcomed back into attack alongside Erjon Bogdani, with Sergio Pellissier losing out. Luciano is unavailable after his three-match ban.

Man on fire: Franco Semioli (Chievo) – He looks to be getting back to the form that earned him an international cap. He scored the equaliser last week and is proving a real handful for any left-back in the League at the moment.

Last season: Siena 0-1 Chievo

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Siena (probable): Manninger; Bertotto, Portanova, Rinaudo, Molinaro; D'Aversa, Codrea, Vergassola, Locatelli, Cozza; Frick

Chievo (probable): Sicignano; Malagò, Mandelli, D'Anna, Marchese; Sammarco, Italiano, Brighi, Semioli; Bogdani, Obinna

channel4.com - Football Italia