Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday in what amounts to a stern test of their title credentials.
The Bianconeri hold the upper hand during their last 47 meetings across all competitions, with 21 victories to Roma’s 11.
Juve have dominated on their 10 most recent league trips south to challenge the Giallorossi in their own backyard, winning six times and losing just once throughout a period stretching back to March 2005.
Last season’s corresponding fixture saw the Lupi bounce back to claim only their sixth point against the Bianconeri in a decade, thanks to Seydou Keita’s equaliser after a Carlos Tevez opener.
Hosts Roma began the new Serie A campaign with a 1-1 draw at Hellas Verona last weekend, while Juventus were caught cold by Udinese in a sensational 1-0 defeat.
It also represented a first home defeat for the Bianconeri since January 2013, when 10-man Sampdoria shocked the perennial Scudetto holders.
Giallorossi coach Rudi Garcia hopes to have experienced defender Maicon back in the fold after his recovery from a knee injury which plagued him last term.
Recent addition Lucas Digne is pencilled in for his debut at left-back, following the completion of his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
Fellow new boy Antonio Rudiger is expected to be out for ten days, while Kevin Strootman’s injury nightmare continues, amid speculation that the Dutchman will be forced to undergo a third operation on his left knee in the space of 18 months.
Massimiliano Allegri has a selection headache to contend with up front, where he must decide whether to risk Juve star Alvaro Morata on his return from a calf problem.
Midfielders Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira are both missing due to thigh injuries, plus long-term absentee Kwadwo Asamoah. Fresh arrival Alex Sandro from Porto appears likely to begin life with the Turin giants on the bench.
It’ll be interesting to see if Allegri sticks with the 3-5-2 formation he utilised when taking on unfancied conquerors Udinese, though the smart money suggests that he will persevere along those lines for now.
Ahead of this huge clash, Roma boss Garcia will be only too aware of the significant damage his side could inflict upon the visiting champions’ confidence levels by grabbing all three points from the eagerly-awaited contest.
Juventus can ill-afford to be four points down on their rivals, even at this early stage of proceedings.
Form Guide: Roma (D) Juventus (W-L)
Expected Starting XIs
Roma: Szczesny; Maicon, Manolas, Castan, Digne; Pjanic, Keita, Nainggolan; Salah, Dzeko, Iago Falque.
Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Sturaro, Padoin, Pogba, Evra; Morata, Dybala.
