Napoli will be looking for a boosting victory when they visit Siena in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals on Thursday.
The Azzurri come into the Coppa Italia semi-final as the favourites, after having downed Inter Milan 2-0 at the Stadio San Paolo in the previous round of the competition thanks to two goals from Uruguayan talisman Edinson Cavani.
Napoli, three-time winners of the Coppa Italia, know that they are more than capable of returning home with the victory, however, they will have to pick up their game significantly after having obtained only one victory in their last six encounters.
Incidentally one of those results was a frustrating 1-1 draw with Siena in a Serie A league game at the Stadio Comunale Artemio Franchi in late January.
Siena, who have made history in reaching this instance of the Coppa Italia for the first time, have struggled a great deal in the Italian top-flight this season, but have demonstrated a gradual improvement in recent weeks as they fight against possible relegation to the Serie B.
Having held league leaders Juventus to an impressive goalless draw at the Juventus Stadium last weekend, Siena come into their crucial clash with Napoli in highly confident mood.
Giuseppe Sannino, the coach of Siena, will be unable to count with the services of Serbian goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic and midfielder Francesco Bolzoni against Napoli, as both players are sidelined with groin injuries.
Meanwhile, Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri will be overjoyed by the fact that he will be able to count with a full-strength squad for the clash. However, he has yet to decide whether Ezequiel Lavezzi or Goran Pandev will partner Cavani in the attack.
With a place in the final of the Coppa Italia at stake, expect a hotly contested encounter between two sides who have seen better times.
Who will win the clash, Siena or Napoli?
Prediction:
Siena 1-2 Napoli
Napoli, three-time winners of the Coppa Italia, know that they are more than capable of returning home with the victory, however, they will have to pick up their game significantly after having obtained only one victory in their last six encounters.
Incidentally one of those results was a frustrating 1-1 draw with Siena in a Serie A league game at the Stadio Comunale Artemio Franchi in late January.
Siena, who have made history in reaching this instance of the Coppa Italia for the first time, have struggled a great deal in the Italian top-flight this season, but have demonstrated a gradual improvement in recent weeks as they fight against possible relegation to the Serie B.
Having held league leaders Juventus to an impressive goalless draw at the Juventus Stadium last weekend, Siena come into their crucial clash with Napoli in highly confident mood.
Giuseppe Sannino, the coach of Siena, will be unable to count with the services of Serbian goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic and midfielder Francesco Bolzoni against Napoli, as both players are sidelined with groin injuries.
Meanwhile, Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri will be overjoyed by the fact that he will be able to count with a full-strength squad for the clash. However, he has yet to decide whether Ezequiel Lavezzi or Goran Pandev will partner Cavani in the attack.
With a place in the final of the Coppa Italia at stake, expect a hotly contested encounter between two sides who have seen better times.
Who will win the clash, Siena or Napoli?
Prediction:
Siena 1-2 Napoli
