[Forza_Roma]

Siena have to keep a look out for Suazo. He can be very dangerous with his pace!

Serie A Week 23 - 11/2/07 (14.00 UK)

Cagliari - Siena
Stadio Sant'Elia Cagliari welcome Siena to what will not be a silent Sant’Elia on Sunday after the tragic events of the past eight days. Both sides have much to lose if the result does not go their way. While the rest of the League will continue in near silence, the Cagliari tifosi will be among the few whose stadium is up to scratch according to the new government guidelines and they should be out in force.

The Isolani may be clear of the relegation zone for now, but they are in no position to relax. Two wins in the last five have eased their worries a little but there is a long way to go yet. Their last points came against bottom of the table Ascoli and since then they have suffered two defeats, most recently against Reggina at home.

Coach Franco Colomba will have had little time to prepare for this game, as until just the other day he thought his side were playing Livorno away. He will know, however, that Siena’s defence is tight and their midfield very talented.

Antonio Chimenti, Mauro Esposito and Antonio Langella are not likely to be fit while Daniele Conti, who will have benefited physically from the unfortunate interruption, should be back. Both he and Leonardo Colucci will have their work cut out trying to keep the ball and provide strikers Simone Pepe and Honduran David Suazo with some kind of service. The game will surely be won and lost in the middle of the park.

The Toscani lost to Roma before the unforeseen break and now, instead of facing a home match against Torino, they will have to make the journey from central Italy across the Tyrrhenian Sea to Sardinia. Three points could see the Bianconeri on level terms with Milan in the League, and give them hope of achieving something more than just avoiding relegation this season.

Coach Mario Beretta needs more consistency from his side at the moment. Tomas Locatelli’s unfortunate incident involving an elbow, with Daniele De Rossi on the receiving end this time, means he will not be able to play. Ex-Middlesbrough boy Massimo Maccarone may not get his first start but will surely play some part in the game, especially if it begins to go against the away side. Francesco Cozza and Daniele Corvia look like the ones who will help the immovable Mario Frick up front.

Man on fire: Daniele Portanova (Siena) –The centre-back is in inspired form. A rock at the back and he can turn up in the box and score as well.

Last season: Cagliari 1-0 Siena

Form guide: Cagliari (L L W W L) Siena (L D D W L)
Cagliari (probable): Fortin; Pisano, Lopez, Bianco, Agostini; Marchini, Conti, L.Colucci, D’Agostino; Pepe, Suazo
Siena (probable): Manninger; Bertotto, Portanova, Rinaudo, Molinaro; Antonini, Codrea, Vergassola; Cozza, Corvia, Frick
Ref: To follow...