Yet to secure European football for next season, Roma welcomes a desperate Venezia side to Stadio Olimpico on Saturday with kickoff at 9:45 pm.
Roma has stumbled on the domestic front just when things have fallen into place in European competition. The Europa League finalists may have earned a place in the inaugural competition’s grand finale in Tirana later this month but cannot afford to falter if they are to book a return ticket next term.
Perhaps weary due to a long campaign at home and abroad, Jose Mourinho’s side offered little threat in a 2-0 loss at Stadio Artemio Franchi and now stands on the cusp of a first five-match winless streak since the start of 2018.
After slipping up in Florence, Roma is locked together on points with the Fiorentina and Atalanta, with only two remaining games. Lazio occupies fifth in the table, now three points ahead of their arch-rivals.
A sixth-place finish would secure Europa League qualification. At the same time, seventh would result in another Conference League campaign, though Roma could also qualify for the former by beating Feyenoord in their first-ever final.
Venezia could achieve a league double over Roma for the first time in their top-flight history, and they will need to if they are to retain any hope of survival. Salernitana might have already been doomed to an instant Serie B return if they lost at Empoli earlier in the day.
Roma vs. Venezia Head to Head
Both sides have one game against each other, with the visitors taking the win while hosts are winless. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Fiorentina 2-0 Roma
- Roma 1-0 Leicester City
- Roma 0-0 Bologna
- Leicester 1-1 Roma
- Inter 3-1 Roma
Away
- Venezia 4-3 Bologna
- Salernitana 2-1 Venezia
- Juventus 2-1 Venezia
- Venezia 1-3 Atalanta
- Fiorentina 1-0 Venezia
Roma Team News
With Gianluca Mancini suspended and Henrikh Mkhitaryan injured, Jose Mourinho should have a full squad to select from, enjoying a rare week free of Thursday night European duty. Following the defeat to Fiorentina, Nicolo Zaniolo is likely to return to the starting lineup, while Marash Kumbulla should deputise for Mancini.
Venezia Team News
Meanwhile, after an absence, Venezia caretaker coach Andrea Soncin – elevated to the top job from the club’s primavera side, following Paolo Zanetti’s recent dismissal – has Ethan Ampadu back at his disposal on Saturday because of suspension.
Prediction and Odds
Even if the Lagunari defense holds for most of the second half, their more talented hosts will find a way to win and keep their push for a European return going into the final day.
- Roma Win
- Goals Under 2.5
- No Score: Away
