On Saturday, Roma will be hoping to extend their winning streak to five, when surprise fifth place side Hellas Verona visit the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma have conceded just once so far, when Paolo De Ceglie tied the score on Wednesday at 1-1 for Parma, though a late Miralem Pjanic strike kept the capital side unbeaten this season. While the Giallorossi’s seven goals so far isn’t too impressive, they have six different scorers, with the other goal being an own goal in the Empoli match.
Hellas Verona are one of the early surprises so far, collecting two wins and two draws so far. The side have only scored five goals, one of those coming as an own goal as well. The key for the Gialloblu seems to be the excellent play of 24-year-old midfielder Artur Ionita. The Moldovan international joined on a free transfer from Swiss side Aarau in the summer and has been a boost. Despite getting just one start so far, he leads the side with two goals.
The Giallorossi hope to continue the success they’ve had against Verona, winning both matches last season. On match day two last season, Roma got an own goal before adding insurance goals from Pjanic and Adem Ljajic in a 3-0 home win.
The reverse fixture on match day 21 saw Ljajic open the scoring before Emil Hallfredsson brought the Gialloblu level. Goals from Gervinho and Francesco Totti allowed Roma to take all three points and continue their chase of Juventus.
Formations will be a issue to look at for Verona. While in their first three matches the side played a 4-3-3, in their last match against Genoa, coach Andrea Mandorlini opted for a 5-3-2. Roma on the other hand have little mystery in their formation, as they will likely go with the standard 4-3-3 they have used in each match this season.
Hellas Verona won’t to be affected by injuries as Jacopo Sala is the only out, but he has yet to feature for the side yet. No one is suspended for the match, though Rafa Marquez is yellow card away from sitting out a game. Rafael will be back for this match after missing out against Genoa due to suspension and will return to goal for the Gialloblu.
For the home side, both Federico Balzaretti and Kevin Strootman won’t be available, as Balzaretti is recovering from surgery and Strootman is closer to returning from a cruciate ligament injury back in March. Roma will also have no one suspended for this match.
Expected Starting XIs
Roma – De Sanctis, Cole, Manolas, Yanga-Mbiwa, Maicon, Nainggolan, De Rossi, Pjanic, Gervinho, Totti, Ljajic
Hellas Verona – Rafael, Sorensen, Marquez, Moras, Martic, Agostini, Tachtsidis, Ionita, Hallfredsson, Saviola, Toni
