Preview: Siena vs Cagliari

Posted on February 27, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized

Relegation Battle

Following the missed opportunity of last weekend - where the Bianconeri were two goals up before being pegged back by Atalanta - the home team will be hoping to make amends as they host bottom side Cagliari.

This is a classic do-or-die situation for both teams as the end of the season is looming and every point becomes very precious in the battle to avoid the drop to Serie B.

Siena are exactly on the relegation line as they are equal points to Parma, but what makes the relegation interesting this season is that there are just 7 points from bottom club Cagliari to 14th place Empoli, and thus three points could help a team make a big jump forward.

Cagliari have done well recently, and if they looked doomed until a few weeks ago, the team can now see the light at the end of the tunnel as a win here would pull them up and help them reach the group of hopefuls who want to avoid demotion.

A defeat could spell trouble, but not necessarily kill their hopes of staying up as there are more direct clashes. However, not winning this clash might be detrimental for their morale, which will be fundamental in the last weeks of the season.

Past Encounters

The last time these two teams clashed at the Artemio Franchi stadium, the match ended in a goalless draw.

In all recent encounters of this millennium, Cagliari have never beaten their opponents away from home, whereas Siena won three times and the game ended in a draw three times too.

FORM GUIDE

Siena
Atalanta - Siena 2 - 2 24/02/2008 SERIE A
Siena - Torino 0 - 0 17/02/2008 SERIE A
Milan - Siena 1 - 0 10/02/2008 SERIE A
Siena - Roma 3 - 0 03/02/2008 SERIE A
Sampdoria - Siena 1 - 0 26/01/2008 SERIE A
Palermo - Siena 2 - 3 20/01/2008 SERIE A

Cagliari
Cagliari - Lazio 1 - 0 24/02/2008 SERIE A
Palermo - Cagliari 2 - 1 17/02/2008 SERIE A
Cagliari - Parma 1 - 1 10/02/2008 SERIE A
Juventus - Cagliari 1 - 1 03/02/2008 SERIE A
Cagliari - Napoli 2 - 1 27/01/2008 SERIE A
Reggina - Cagliari 2 - 0 20/01/2008 SERIE A

TEAM NEWS

Siena
No player is suspended or injured for the Tuscan side. However, Loria, Portanova and Frick are all one yellow card away from suspension.

Probable Formation (4-3-1-2): Manninger, Rossettini, Portanova, Loria, Rossi, Vergassola, Codrea, Galloppa, Locatelli, Frick, Maccarone

Cagliari
Shala, Ferri and Koprivec are injured, whilst Fini is suspended. Lopez, Jeda, Agostini and Foggia must be careful not to receive a yellow card in order to play the next game.

Probable Formation (4-3-2-1): Storari, Pisano, Lopez, Bianco, Agostini, Biondini, Conti, Parola, Foggia, Jeda, Larrivey

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Maccarone (Siena)
Has more competition since the arrival of Rigano. Will therefore have to do his best and score as much as he can in order to be considered as the main striker.

Foggia (Cagliari)
Has not been particularly impressive since being reintegrated back in the squad, but his help will surely be needed if Cagliari wants to win this game and hope to stay up.

PREDICTION

Cagliari have been in good form lately and this might make it more difficult for Siena who need the three points to boost their survival credentials. In the end it will be a suffered win for the home team.

Siena 2 - 1 Cagliari

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