[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 20 - 21/1/07 (14.00 UK)
Empoli - Sampdoria

Stadio Castellani

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Week 20 will see a smiling Empoli taking on troubled Sampdoria at the Stadio Castellani in a match which is surprisingly a battle for a place in Europe. While the Tuscans are holding on to sixth position, the Blucerchiati are just one step behind being seventh.

In Week 19 Empoli easily beat Parma 2-0, while Sampdoria gained an important point against Fiorentina drawing 0-0 at home. Last year’s corresponding fixture ended 2-1 for the Empolesi and it was the same result for the Tuscans when the two teams played at the Stadio Marassi in Week 1 this season.

Coach Luigi Cagni is satisfied with his team’s performance, last week’s convincing victory over Parma was a display of strength. After starting the season with a 4-5-1 formation, the Azzurri have enjoyed good performances with a classical 4-4-2 which will probably be reconfirmed for this tie.

Former Inter defender Daniele Adani will still be out because of a knee injury, while Stefano Lucchini and Gianluca Pratali are likely to be the central defenders. In midfield Argentine playmaker Sergio Almiron will play alongside Davide Moro, who will have a more defensive duty. Star man Ighli Vannucchi will start as a left winger, but will be free to cut in the middle playing also as a Trequartista. Nicola Pozzi and Luca Saudati will probably form the attacking duo.

The Blucerchiati’s displays have been up and down all season and this week’s clash is a very important task of maturity for them.

Sampdoria boss Walter Novellino has a slight selection headache with Francesco Flachi and Emiliano Bonazzoli eager to start from the first minute, but one of them is likely to be on the bench once again.

With Gianluca Berti still injured, Luca Castellazzi will take the gloves. Newly signed Carlo Zotti may sit on the bench. Cristian Zenoni and Christian Maggio are both right-back options. Doria bomber Fabio Quagliarella should cover the right flank. Uruguayan Ruben Olivera is not 100 per cent fit and will have to watch from the bench.

Man on fire: Francesco Flachi (Sampdoria) – For the 31-year-old forward, who is a Fiorentina fan, it will be like a derby. After sitting on the bench for too long last week, he will be impatient to show Novellino and the fans he is still a key player.

Last season: Empoli 2-1 Sampdoria

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

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Empoli (probable): Balli; Raggi, Lucchini, Pratali, Tosto; Buscè, Moro, Almiron, Vannucchi; Saudati, Pozzi

Sampdoria (probable): Castellazzi; C.Zenoni, Sala, Falcone, Accardi; Quagliarella, Volpi, Palombo, Franceschini; Flachi, Bazzani

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