After suffering a setback in their last outing in the Europa League, Roma will set out to make things right in the Serie A when they face relegation battlers Verona at the Stadio Olimpico today evening.
A late blow from RB Salzburg was enough to decapitate Roma’s stance to secure a draw and finish the game at home. Nicolas Capaldo’s 88th-minute header stood as the difference between the two sides as the Giallorossi will hope to topple them over in the home reverse.
Roma were held in their last league fixture against Lecce before they headed to the European competition. An own goal from Roger Ibanez gave hosts that day the lead but it was soon cancelled out as Paulo Dybala thumped home a penalty in the 17th minute. The game was a lacklustre one neither side could break through and that is a problem Roma has faced this season when Dybala and Tammy Abraham haven’t found their stride.
The Giallorossi are unbeaten against the Gialloblu in their last 25 meetings, winning 19 times and so Jose Mourinho’s side remain strong favourites today.
Meanwhile, Verona will hope to snatch all three points from this fixture and climb out of the relegation zone, considering the result in La Spezia goes their way.
Verona have strung together an unbeaten run of four consecutive matches and the 1-0 win in their last match helped them continue their ascend towards Serie A survival.
Cyril Ngonge has scored in his last two matches, the equaliser against Lazio and the winner against Salernitana. New manager Marco Zaffarani has made changes to the defensive department and after experiencing a horrific first-half of the season, Verona have only conceded four this year.
Results from their last five matches in all competitions
Roma:
L D W L W
Verona:
W D D W L
Team News
Paulo Dybala suffered a minor setback in his team’s loss to Salzburg as he is ruled out with a thigh issue.
Stephen El Sharaawy is expected to shift left, providing Tammy Abraham a striker role with Zeki Celik coming in from the right.
Georginio Wijnaldum has successfully recovered from his injury and now remains in contention to start the game.
As for Verona, Cyril Ngonge’s recent revival of form has made him a first name on the team sheet.Â
Milan Djuric and Thomas Henry are out with long-term injuries.
Predicted XIs
Roma (3-4-2-1): Patricio; Mancini, Kumbulla, Ibanez; Celik, Cristante, Bove, Zalewski; Pellegrini, El Shaarawy; Belotti
Verona (3-4-2-1): Montipo; Magnani, Hien, Coppola; Depaoli, Tameze, Duda, Doig; Ngonge, Lazovic; Gaich
Â
Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN
