Juventus vs Siena Preview

February 22, 2013 By Gregory Sica

The Italian champions will be hoping to return to winning ways against a Siena outfit who are fighting against relegation.

Juventus have no choice but to rebound from their unexpected 1-0 defeat to Roma last weekend when they tussle with Siena on Sunday, because if they fail to secure the three points in Turin their title aspirations could be threatened by second-placed Napoli.

Napoli trail Juventus by just four points, and if they overcome Udinese on Monday, and Juventus lose to Siena, they will move within one point of the league leaders.

But Juventus, who beat Siena 2-1 earlier in the season, contain enough quality in their squad to record another victory that would maintain and possibly even extend their lead at the top of the table.

Antonio Conte, the coach of Juventus, will be unable to count with the availability of several players, including Paolo De Ceglie, Gioirgio Chiellini and long-term absentees Nicklas Bendtner and Simone Pepe.

The good news, however, is that Claudio Marchisio returns from suspension and will slot into a Juventus midfield that will be led by Andrea Pirlo.

Rivals Siena come into the clash unbeaten in their last three games, which includes two huge results: a 3-0 thrashing of Lazio and a 3-1 defeat of Inter Milan.

They will be pumped for the match-up with Juventus, but will be unable to count with Angelo, who has a muscle injury, and the suspended defensive pair of Claudio Terzi and Roberto Vitiello.

Swiss striker Innocent Emeghara has been on fire with four goals in his first four Serie A games, and will take the field as Siena's lone striker.

Siena have failed to win their last ten away games, and although it seems highly unlikely that they will upset Juventus, they will definitely give it their best shot.