Roma entertain Frosinone at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening as Luciano Spalletti goes in search of his first win since being reappointed as Giallorossi coach earlier this month.
The 56-year-old has overseen a draw and a defeat since he returned to the dugout and will be looking to put some daylight between his side and sixth-placed AC Milan as they look to strengthen their Champions League ambitions.
The capital club were undone by a piece of wizardry from Juventus forward Paulo Dybala in their last outing and have yet to register their first win of 2016.
Rudi Garcia’s tenure ended with successive draws against Chievo and Milan and the former Zenit St Petersburg boss could do little to stem his side’s penchant for parity when bottom of the table Hellas Verona visited the Stadio Olimpico and departed with a point.
Frosinone, meanwhile, will be looking to halt a winless stretch that dates back to the end of November.
Roberto Stellone’s outfit have shipped nine goals in their previous three outings but there was evidence of defensive solidity when they held Edy Reja’s Atalanta to a goalless draw at the Stadio Matusa last weekend.
The Canarini are saddled with the worst goal difference in the division and their chronic lack of consistency has seen them slip to 19th in the table as fellow newboys Carpi show signs of life.
Juan Iturbe and Iago Falque were among the scorers in the reverse fixture in September as Roma prevailed 2-0 victors.
Spalletti should have a full-strength squad at his disposal despite the absence of Brazilian full-back Maicon.
Stephan El Shaarawy is expected to make his debut in Roma colours after joining from Milan earlier in the week.
Mirko Gori, meanwhile, is serving a one-match suspension for the away side and Massimiliano Carlini will also miss out.
Form Guide: Roma (W-D-D-D-W) Frosinone (W-D-L-L-D)
Expected Starting XIs:
Roma: Szczesny; Torosidis, Manolas, Rudiger, Digne; Pjanic, De Rossi; Salah, Nainggolan, El Shaarawy; Dzeko.
Frosinone: Leali; Rosi, Ajeti, Blanchard, Pavlovic; Chibsah, Kragl, Sammarco; Paganini, D.Ciofani, Dionisi.
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com