Second-placed AS Roma will be looking to get back to winning ways when they host Chievo at the Olympic Stadium on Thursday, but the visitors are on a four-match unbeaten streak in all competitions. Last season Chievo clinched a spectacular 3-3 at home against Roma, while the reverse fixture was won 3-0 by Francesco Totti and company. Chievo have not won in Rome since 2013.
Roma were hoping to build a better title challenge this season but last week leaders Juventus defeated them 1-0 to put seven points behind the two sides at the top of the Serie A table. Now Roma will have to fight for their spot in the top three, and that will be a tough battle considering that sixth-placed Atalanta are just three points behind. Alessandro Florenzi is still injured, while Daniele De Rossi and Radja Nainggolan might also miss out through injury.
Chievo have climbed towards the middle of the table after a series of four matches without defeat in all competitions. They have two consecutive league wins to be proud of, including last week's 2-1 victory at home over Sampdoria. The visitors have nothing to lose on Thursday in Rome, relegation is not that close at the moment, while fighting for a European spot seems unrealistic. Perparim Hetemaj and Massimo Gobbi are the only injury concerns for Chievo ahead of this match.
Probable line-ups:
Roma: Szczesny - Peres, Fazio, Rudiger, Emerson - De Rossi, Strootman - Salah, Nainggolan, Perotti - Dzeko
Chievo: Sorrentino - Frey, Gamberini, Spolli, Cacciatore - Rigoni, Radovanovic, Castro - Birsa - Meggiorini, Pellissier
My prediction: Roma to win 2-0.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Roma win - 1.33 Draw - 5.50 Chievo win - 8.00
sharpe
7 years ago
It was another victory for Roma but far away from walk in the park. In fact they were 0-1 down before El Shaarawy goal in the end of first half to give them confidence for the second. It was 2-1 till the very end but late penalty gave Roma the points and they are back in hunt just 4 points behind the leaders who although...
It was another victory for Roma but far away from walk in the park. In fact they were 0-1 down before El Shaarawy goal in the end of first half to give them confidence for the second. It was 2-1 till the very end but late penalty gave Roma the points and they are back in hunt just 4 points behind the leaders who although have the game in hand. If there wasn't that Juventus loss, Roma really would be looking good in the standings.
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GREGJO
7 years ago
Roma are really convicing at home this season (8 wins in 8 matches, scored 24 goals - an average of 3 goals/match - and conceded only 6 goals). As Johnny wrote Roma have some big names missing: De Rossi (there is some chance of playing), Manolas and Florenzi. Dzeko and Naingollan are doubtful as well. The visitors are in...
Roma are really convicing at home this season (8 wins in 8 matches, scored 24 goals - an average of 3 goals/match - and conceded only 6 goals). As Johnny wrote Roma have some big names missing: De Rossi (there is some chance of playing), Manolas and Florenzi. Dzeko and Naingollan are doubtful as well. The visitors are in good form, and their defense is really good (conceded 1 goal on the last 4 matches). I think this is a really poor odds on Roma, and they will have hard time tonight. In my opinion draw (@5,25) or Chievo +1,5 AH (@1,88) could the best choice. My correct score pick are: 0-0 or 1-0.
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