[Forza_Roma]

Serie A Week 32 - 14/4/07 (17.00 UK)

Cagliari - Empoli
Stadio Sant'Elia Cagliari welcome Empoli to the Sant’Elia on Saturday. The Azzurri lie in sixth place in the League, five places above this week’s opponents. With the season drawing to a close neither of them are in any real danger but while the home team will hopefully be playing for the fans more than for the result, Empoli have a realistic shot at UEFA Cup qualification and will want to close in and complete their objective as soon as possible.

The Isolani have only lost once in the last five, and in that time they have drawn away at Sampdoria and won against struggling Palermo. These and other such useful results have eased fears of the drop and have left them relatively comfortable in mid-table on 33 points. Last time out they travelled to another of Serie A’s islanders, Palermo, and won 3-1. Despite going behind early on, two goals in the last six minutes assured them of three precious away points.

Coach Marco Giampaolo’s 4-4-2 setup seems to suit the side and it does not look like many changes will take place. One looks probable though as Leonardo Colucci may come in for Alessandro Budel in the centre of midfield.

The away side were hosted by Milan last time out and all they got was a 3-1 defeat. They paid for defensive errors more than anything and in the end the Rossoneri had too much attacking firepower. The only change Coach Gigi Cagni looks like making for this match is one that has been forced upon him by Nicola Pozzi’s one-match ban. Pozzi may be replaced by Davide Matteini. The latter and Luca Saudati should start in attack with Ighli Vannucchi behind them in a 4-3-1-2 formation.

Man on fire: Luca Suadati (Empoli) – He scored a phenomenal strike against Milan and is a big part of Empoli’s success this season with 10 goals. He will be looking for more at the weekend…

Last season: Cagliari 4-1 Empoli

Form guide: Cagliari (W D L W W) Empoli (W D L W L)
Cagliari (probable): Fortin; Ferri, Lopez, Bianco, Del Grosso; Biondini, Conti, Colucci, D'Agostino; Suazo, Pepe
Empoli (probable): Balli; Raggi, Adani, Pratali, Tosto; Buscé, Almiron, Moro; Vannucchi, Matteini, Saudati
Ref: To follow...

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