Serie A Preview: Siena - Juventus

Siena In Constant Free Fall

Marco Giampaolo's side are falling freely, and, even more worrying, they are showing no signs of climbing out of the relegation zone. With just five points to their name and languishing just second from bottom in the table, these are bad times for the Orobici. To make it worse, Juventus come to town on Sunday. The Robur have a problem up front: they have only scored seven times. They face one of the best defences in the league, so Massimo Maccarone needs to ensure he is wearing his shooting boots this weekend.

Siena last played Juventus in week 36 of last season - exactly six months before this fixture. It was at the Artemio Franchi, and the game ended 3-0 to the visitors. Alessandro Del Piero scored a double and Claudio Marchisio got the third. Luckily for Siena, those two players will be out of this tie with injury. However, Houssine Kharja, now of Genoa, grabbed the winner for Siena in this fixture back in May 2008.

To add to the misery, there have been calls by an angry group of supporters this week who have lobbied for the club to sack Giampaolo and bring back former coach Mario Beretta. Anything less than a win against Juventus and the board may take action.

Juventus Almost There

The Old Lady head to Siena in confident mood, but don't be fooled though. They have not been at their best for quiet some time. Before the Maccabi Haifa win on Wednesday they had gone five games without a win. Despite their success in Europe, they struggled against the Israeli side. Juve were lucky to beat Maccabi, and it's clear there is still plenty of work to be done before they can pose a real threat to Inter.

Juve have always been the better side in this fixture. In five games at the Franchi in the league, Juve have won four and lost once - an 80 per cent win record. They have scored 12 goals and conceded just two across those fixtures, and so they will fancy their chances here. Ciro Ferrara introduced a new 4-2-3-1 system during the week. He played David Trezeguet as the lone ranger up front in Europe, but he is likely to be replaced by Amauri. Diego seemed to flourish in the new system, which comes as a boost for the side. He seemed to have lost his sparkle since suffering injury against Lazio but now looks back to his best.

With Inter playing what should be a home banker against Catania, Juve cannot afford to take their foot off the pedal. If they do, they could find themselves seven points behind the league leaders heading into the midweek clash with Sampdoria in four days.

Form Guide

Siena

October 18 v Parma (A) - LOST 1-0 (Serie A)

October 04 v Livorno (H) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)  

September 27 v Napoli (A) - LOST 2-1 (Serie A)

September 23 v Chievo Verona (H) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)

September 20 v Sampdoria (A) - LOST 4-1 (Serie A)

Juventus

October 20 v Maccabi Haifa (H) - WON 1-0 (Champions League)

October 17 v Fiorentina (H) - DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

October 4 v Palermo (A) - LOST 2-0 (Serie A)

September 30 v Bayern Munich (A) - DREW 0-0 (Champions League)

September 27 v Bologna (H) - DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

Team News

Siena

Luca Rossettini and Anssi Jaakkola are the only injury concerns. Michele Fini is serving a three match ban. Abdelkader Ghezzal joins him in the stands with a one game suspension.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Curci; Rosi, Terzi, Bardao, Del Grosso; Vergassola, Codrea, Ekdal; Jajlo; Maccarone, Calaio.

Juventus

Tiago has returned to training and is in contention. Felipe Melo is also in contention after injuring his ankle on Wednesday. He has since made a full recovery. Jonathan Zebina, injured in the same game, is out with a thigh strain. Alessandro Del Piero, Claudio Marchisio and Hasan Salihamidzic are still missing.

Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Buffon; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Grosso; Poulsen, Sissoko; Camoranesi, Diego, Iaquinta; Amauri.

Players To Watch

Siena

Keep an eye on Massimo Maccarone. The Italian hitman has scored twice this term and will be looking to get his name back on the scoresheet this week.

Juventus

Amauri broke his seven month scoring drought against the Viola a week ago. Much is expected from the Brazilian, and he will lead the charge here.

Prediction

Siena will put up a fight, but they will also be putting up the white flag by the end of the game. Juve's quality and strength will prevail in Tuscany. The Old Lady should have this one, despite their recent form, which has been far from convincing.

Siena 0-2 Juventus