Lazio to rain on resurgent Siena's parade

18Feb 2013

Betfair

Jonno Turner aims to build on a successful end to last week with two more picks from Europe in todays Home and Away column.

We're off to Turkey for our first pick of the day - as Kasimpasa welcome Sivasspor to the Recep Tayip Erdogan Stadium, looking to extend the positive run of results which has seen them undefeated in three of their last four.

The hosts line up in this one sitting seventh in the Super Lig - just four points off the Europa League places - and boss Shota Arveladze will be keen for his newly promoted side to continue the recent form which has seen them hit half a dozen goals in their last four.

The Apaciler look to play good, fast flowing football, but have at times struggled to overcome sides who are solid at the back and stack men behind the ball. Kalu Uche, who has been away with Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations, returns to lead the line for the home side - and his 11 goals this season have already proved invaluable to Arveladze's side.

A 2-1 narrow defeat to Gaziantepspor last time out will have knocked the home side's confidence slightly following an unbeaten run which was built on a shock victory against Galatasaray in January - and they will be desperate to get back to winning ways against a Sivasspor side missing key players.

Riza Calimbay's side have been inconsistent this campaign, and that leaves them languishing in 10th place ahead of this clash.

The away side have failed to win in four of their last five on the road, and defender Jakub Navratil - who has been almost an ever-present for the visitors this season - is absent from the heart of their defence which could be key to the outcome of this tie.

No goals scored in three of their last five away from the 4. Eylul Stadium suggests that Calimbay's side have been lacking in the final third, and that could cost them against a Kasimpasa side which has not conceded a goal in two of their last three.

The hosts have not lost to their guests in two meetings at this venue, and I think that Arveladze's side will get the better of their opponents here.

Bet 1: Kasimpasa (HOME) @ 2.14

Over to Italy now for our next selection - and bottom side Siena host Lazio at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, aiming to secure their third home win from six games.

Giuseppe Iachini's side have been on the backfoot all campaign, ever since being docked six points for their previous misdemeanours, and their inconsistency has cemented their place at the foot of Serie A.

But two wins on the bounce at home will have the Bianconeri in positive mood ahead of this clash, but they will be missing influential midfielder Angelo through injury, who has played 18 times for them this campaign.

Lazio go into this one in third place, and a win could move them within touching distance of the top two.

Just one loss in their last eight away from the Stadio Olimpico stands the Biancocelesti in good stead to take something from this clash, but they will need to improve on recent performances which have seen them draw three of their last four on the road.

Vladimir Petkovic has seen his side score nine goals in their last five away from home, and will be keen for Czech striker Libor Kozak, who has notched seven goals in Europe this season but none in Serie A, to step up to the plate and fire his side to victory here.

The visitors are without midfielders Christian Ledesma, who sits out through suspension - and are likely to go with Ederson and Hernanes in midfield.

Lazio have won their last two meetings with Siena, and I think they're decent value to take another scalp of their resurgent hosts in this clash.

Bet 2: Lazio (AWAY) @ 2.48