[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 8 - 21/10/07 (14.00 UK)
Fiorentina - Siena

Stadio Franchi

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It’s Tuscan derby time once again and struggling Siena will need to up their game if they are to stop the Fiorentina juggernaut at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence.

Fiorentina remain unbeaten and are asserting their Champions League credentials. After a 1-1 draw with Juventus in Week 7, the Viola will see a game against their less illustrious cousins as an ideal chance to return to winning ways.

The Gigliati have no problem with derbies and have already seen off Empoli on the opening weekend and pulverised Livorno in Week 6 – they will see little to fear in the visiting Robur side. With the rest of the leading pack strong favourites to claim maximum points, a draw could prove costly and won’t be acceptable to Coach Cesare Prandelli.

The visiting Bianconeri are underdogs, but they proved that they bite as well as bark with a 3-0 win over Empoli a fortnight ago. Although this is more of a significant derby for the Siena faithful as Fiorentina are their closest rivals geographically, their demolition of Empoli was also an all-Tuscan affair and shows that they can rise to the occasion when bragging rights are at stake.

Nonetheless, the unassuming Senesi will be expecting a nail-biting relegation dogfight once again this year and will hold little hope of returning from Florence with any spoils. The key for Andrea Mandorlini lies in slowing the game down and keeping their shape at the back. If the Robur can keep the game level after the break they may just find space on the break.

While Siena have been poor travellers and have only found the net once away from home this term, Fiorentina have looked strangely unsteady on home soil and have drawn three times in front of their passionate fans.

Home fans can breathe a sigh of relief with the news that striker Adrian Mutu seems to have shaken off an injury niggle. Danish winger Martin Jorgensen has recovered from a long-term ailment, but he’s unlikely to feature yet. Mario Santana remains injured, so ex-Chievo wizard Franco Semioli looks set to continue in the side alongside Mutu and Giampaolo Pazzini.

Goal-shy Siena remain short of strikers as veteran Enrico Chiesa and Liechtenstein international Mario Frick are still sidelined. Otherwise, Mandorlini has a strong squad as Tomas Locatelli, Daniele Portanova and 17-year-old Argentine Fernando Forestieri have all overcome complaints. Christian Bucchi may be given the chance to link up with Massimo Maccarone in attack.

Keep an eye on: Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina) – The Romanian striker is on the best form of his career and is oozing confidence after five goals in six outings.

Last season: Fiorentina 1-0 Siena

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

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Fiorentina (probable): Frey; Ujfalusi, Dainelli, Gamberini, Pasqual; Donadel, Liverani, Montolivo; Semioli, Pazzini, Mutu

Siena (probable): Eleftheropoulos; Rossettini, Portanova, Loria, Grimi; Jarolim, Codrea, Vergassola, Galloppa; Bucchi, Maccarone

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