Roma will look to build on their midweek victory when they travel to face struggling Hellas Verona in Serie A action on Sunday. The Giallorossi steadied the ship with a narrow 1-0 win over Torino on Thursday, while Verona’s woes continued with a third straight defeat.
After a difficult run that saw them lose three of five matches, Roma got back on track by edging Torino 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. The victory lifted them back into the top half of the table, though they still sit 12 points off the Serie A summit and 6 behind city rivals Lazio.
Manager Ivan Juric was under pressure following a 5-1 thrashing by Fiorentina last weekend, which had plunged Roma into the bottom half. There were reports of dressing room unrest in the aftermath of that heavy defeat. However, Paulo Dybala’s superb strike from an improbable angle against Torino has eased some of the tension for now.
Roma have struggled for goals this season, averaging just one per game in Serie A despite bringing in striker Artem Dovbyk over the summer. They will hope to improve that record against a Verona side that has conceded 10 goals in their last three matches.
While Roma steadied themselves in midweek, Verona’s slide down the table continued with a 1-0 loss to fellow strugglers Lecce. The Gialloblu finished the match with nine men after Jackson Tchatchoua and Reda Belahyane were sent off in the second half.
It was Verona’s third consecutive defeat, during which they have conceded 10 goals. They now have the worst defensive record in Serie A and sit just one point above the relegation zone.
The poor run of form is in stark contrast to Verona’s bright start under new coach Paolo Zanetti, which included a shock win over current leaders Napoli. But since the last international break, results have taken a sharp downturn.
Team News
Roma could welcome back captain Lorenzo Pellegrini and top scorer Artem Dovbyk after both missed the Torino match. Pellegrini picked up a knock in training while Dovbyk was ill. Their returns would be a boost, though Juric praised Dybala’s performance as a false nine against Torino.
Alexis Saelemaekers remains sidelined for Roma with an ankle injury. Mario Hermoso is available again after serving a suspension.
Verona have several absentees through injury and suspension. Juan Cruz, Pawel Dawidowicz and Martin Frese are all injured, while Tchatchoua and Belahyane are banned after their red cards against Lecce.
First-choice goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo is likely to return after being benched midweek. Dani Silva could come into midfield to replace the suspended Belahyane.
Expected Starting XIs
Verona: Montipo; Daniliuc, Ghilardi, Magnani, Bradaric; Duda, Silva; Suslov, Serdar, Lazovic; Tengstedt
Roma: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Angelino; Celik, Le Fee, Kone, El Shaarawy; Pellegrini, Baldanzi; Dybala
Match Prediction
While Verona have had some recent success against Roma at the Bentegodi, their current form and defensive woes make them vulnerable. Roma should have enough quality to secure a narrow away victory and ease some of the pressure on Juric. A 1-0 win for the visitors looks likely.
Prediction:
