Roma host Chievo at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A on Saturday evening, with both sides coming off the back of defeats in their previous game.
The Giallorossi were narrowly beaten 3-2 away to Juventus thanks to a late goal from Leonardo Bonucci in a game which saw defender Kostas Manolas sent off for a clash with Bianconeri forward Alvaro Morata.
The Flying Donkeys fared no better on their travels, going down 2-0 to AC Milan at the San Siro courtesy of goals from Sulley Muntari and Keisuke Honda.. That result sees them currently sitting with four points from their opening six games.
Rudi Garcia’s men won both meetings between the two sides last season with Marco Borriello getting the only goal in the corresponding fixture at the Stadio Olimpico almost a year ago.
Chievo coach Eugenio Corini will have to upset the odds if his side are to emerge victorious as in 24 past meetings they have only beaten the team from the capital three times.
Even at this early stage of it appears that the two sides could be fighting it out at opposite ends of the table come the end of the season.
As well as having Manolas suspended, Garcia has a substantial injury list with long-term absentees Federico Balzaretti, Kevin Strootman and Leandro Castan joined on the sidelines by Seydou Keita and Juan Manuel Iturbe. Daniele De Rossi however may make a return to action as a substitute.
Corini on the other hand has no suspensions but will be without the injured Mariano Izco, Alessandro Gamberini and Ruben Botta.
Expected Starting XIs
Roma (4-3-3): De Sanctis; Maicon, Cole, Astori, Yanga-Mbiwa; Paredes, Nainggolan, Pjanic, Florenzi; Destro, Ljajic
Chievo (4-3-1-2): Bardi; Frey, Dainelli, Zukanovic, Biraghi; Hetemaj, Radovanovic, Cofie; Birsa; Meggiorini, Paloschi
