Roma host Chievo in Sunday’s lunchtime kick off in Serie A, knowing that a victory will lift them back into second spot in the table.
The Giallorossi are unbeaten in their last 15 games, though they have drawn three of the last seven, two of which were at home. Luciano Spelletti’s side are coming off a dramatic 3-2 victory over Genoa, which should serve as a battle cry heading into the season’s final two rounds of play.
The Mussi Volanti enter the game with little to play for as their position in the top ten is assured for the season. Rolando Maran’s men have lost just once in eight games, and with one more away victory, the club would reach their highest ever tally in Serie A, with this season already sure to be their best campaign in a decade, and are coming off a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Fiorentina.
Chievo will take heart from the meeting in Verona earlier in the season, when they twice came from behind against Rudi Garcia’s side, eventually securing a 3-3 draw. However, in head-to-head meetings between the two, the hosts hold the trump cards having lost just three of the 27 meetings to date, though two of those defeats have come at the Stadio Olimpico.
Spalletti has an almost fully-fit squad to choose from, with just Seydou Keita and Salih Ucan set to miss out. Miralem Pjanic has served his suspension and will return to the starting line-up. Despite his stellar recent form, talismanic captain Francesco Totti is likely to remain a substitute.
Maran meanwhile, has a few personnel issues to worry about. Dario Dainelli and Nicolas Frey are both out for the season, with Mariano Izco and Riccardo Meggiorini also likely to miss Sunday’s encounter. Federico Mattiello is back in training but would be a surprise selection after being out since October.
With 599 Serie A appearances to his name, Totti will need to feature in one of the Giallorossi’s remaining two encounters to reach an historic 600.
Form Guide: Roma (D-D-W-W-W), Chievo (W-D-W-L-D)
Expected Starting XIs:
Roma: Szczesny; Maicon, Manolas, Rudiger, Digne; Strootman, Nainggolan; Salah, Pjanic, Perotti; El Shaarawy
Chievo: Bizarri; Cacciatore, Gamberini, Cesar, Gobbi; Castro, Radovanovic, Hetemaj; Pepe; Floro Flores, Pellissier
Infographic source: www.sporticos.com
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com