Aiming to keep their ambitions of achieving a Champions League spot alive, Roma will welcome Torino to Stadio Olimpico for an intriguing-looking Serie A clash on Monday evening.
The Giallorossi were successful on the continental stage last time out, while the Toro were able to earn any points from their league clash with Lazio.
Match preview
© Reuters
Following a 1-1 draw in Rotterdam against Arne Slot's Feyenoord on February 15, Roma were able to book their spot in the last 16 of this season's Europa League after beating the Dutch champions on penalties after the second leg in Italy ended in a draw at the end of 120 minutes.
Mexican marksman Santiago Gimenez opened the scoring for the Eredivisie holders but the Giallorossi soon fired back thanks to Lorenzo Pellegrini, before the hosts' goalkeeper Mile Svilar saved penalties from David Hancko and Alireza Jahanbakhsh in the shootout to send his side through.
Apart from a 4-2 beating at the hands of league leaders Inter Milan, Daniele De Rossi's men have won all of their last five Serie A fixtures, leaving Monday's hosts sixth in the top-flight standings, four points behind Atalanta BC in fifth and seven back from fourth-placed Bologna.
Unsurprisingly, Roma have managed to make their Stadio Olimpico base a real fortress this term, with 27 of the team's 41 Serie A points arriving in front of their home supporters, losing just two of their 13 matches at the iconic venue - both against the famous Milan clubs.
© Reuters
Torino's charge for a top-six standing in Serie A has taken a slight detour in recent matches, with the Toro now winning just one of their last four league matches after a two-goal defeat to Lazio at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino during their most-recent fixture in the division.
Mario Gila received his marching orders for the visitors in the final stages of the second period, but the damage had already been done, with second-half strikes from Matteo Guendouzi and Danilo Cataldi condemning Torino to their maiden loss of the new calendar year, and their first since December 29.
Following a steady 10th-placed finish last season, Ivan Juric's men currently occupy the same position in the Serie A standings after 25 matches of the 2023-24 campaign, lying five points behind Monday's hosts Roma in sixth and nine behind fifth-placed Atalanta.
On loan at Torino from the aforementioned club, Duvan Zapata currently leads his side's Golden Boot race with eight goals in 24 first-tier appearances, while also bagging three assists from teammates as the Toro gun for an unlikely European berth next term.
Team News
© Reuters
Roma remain without the services of former Chelsea and Aston Villa striker Tammy Abraham, who is set to return in late March from a cruciate ligament injury.
The Giallorossi could rotate their XI after going the distance against Feyenoord on Thursday night, meaning the likes of Houssem Aouar and Angelino could earn starts.
Torino are without a first-choice centre-back until next month, with 24-year-old Alessandro Buongiorno suffering a shoulder injury at the start of February.
The Toro's options are further limited in their backline by the absence of Dutchman Perr Schuurs, who is recovering from a cruciate ligament injury and will not feature again this season.
Roma possible starting lineup:
Svilar; Karsdorp, Mancini, Llorente, Angelino; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Dybala, El Shaarawy, Lukaku
Torino possible starting lineup:
Milinkovic-Savic; Djidji, Lovato, Masina; Bellanova, Linetty, Ilic, Lazaro, Vlasic; Sanabria, Zapata
We say: Roma 1-1 Torino
Roma endured an emotional night on Thursday as they narrowly managed to defeat Feyenoord and carry on in the Europa League, meaning there could be hints of fatigue from the Giallorossi on Monday night.
Torino have had a full week to prepare for their trip to the Stadio Olimpico, and we can envisage the visitors forcing a share of the spoils in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
