La Viola ready for derby

On the other hand, local rivals Livorno are in turmoil after having parted company with coach Roberto Donadoni earlier in the week after the former Italian international was publicly criticised by president Aldo Spinelli following the club's 2-2 draw with Messina.

And the cauldron atmosphere of a Tuscan derby is hardly the ideal introduction to the club for new boss Carlo Mazzone, who will be in charge for the first time on Sunday, as he was serving a touchline ban during the midweek stalemate with Ascoli.

The locals will be hoping Mazzone can turn things around for the Amaranto after a run of five draws in six matches had affected their own European aspirations.

Livorno have lost ground on fifth placed Roma, but are still holding onto the sixth and final European place. A win on Sunday, coupled with a Roman loss would see the six point deficit cut to three, and would go a long way to securing continental football next term come the end of the season.

Chances of a Roma defeat are slim though as the Giallorossi have been showing some imperious form of late.

In particular, Francesco Totti has been is stunning goalscoring form and the Italian international heads into Sunday's match off the back of a midweek match winning brace against Cagliari.

Roma broke the club record of eight consecutive wins on Wednesday, and Totti expressed his desire to increase that to the Serie A record of ten.

Siena must be quaking in their boots at the visit of Roma as the capital club's form speaks for itself. During their record run of eight straight wins, they have scored 23 goals, conceding just five, and now have a ten point cushion between themselves and seventh placed Chievo, who are the nearest challengers to their UEFA Cup spot.

Indeed, Roma can now realistically aim for a Champions League berth after having recovered from a sluggish start to the season, and if their current form continues, that will be become a very real possibility.