Roma look to shake off a three-game winless streak, and a four-game streak without scoring, when they visit Spezia at Stadio Alberto Picco this weekend with a kickoff at 8 pm.
On Sunday evening, Jose Mourinho will face his former player Rafa Benitez as he searches for the first victory for September.
Jose Mourinho took top billing again last weekend in Rome as his faltering Roma side posted their third league draw on the spin.
The Giallorossi fought back in improbable style to rescue a point against in-form Verona. Teenagers Edoardo Bove and Cristian Volpato find the net in the final half-hour.
Mourinho stormed onto the pitch to argue with the referee before kicking the ball into the stands. Having been sent off for making “serious allegations” in a “threatening” manner towards the official, Mourinho will now serve a two-match touchline ban.
With their excellent start to the campaign now firmly in the rearview mirror, Spezia fell at the hands of Bologna last time out – going down 2-1 at Dall’Ara to a side that had won just once in their previous nine matches.
The visitors took an early lead and looked good for a point before Marko Arnautovic doubled up for the hosts in the 84th minute. Previously held by rock-bottom Salernitana and defeated by Fiorentina at home, Spezia is now only four points above the drop zone after having surged clear of trouble since midseason.
Spezia vs Roma Head to Head
Both sides have five games against each other, with each side taking two wins and one draw. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Bologna 2-1 Spezia
- Spezia 1-2 Fiorentina
- Salernitana 2-2 Spezia
- Spezia 1-0 Sampdoria
Away
- Roma 2-2 Hellas Verona
- Sassuolo 2-2 Roma
- Inter 2-0 Roma
- Roma 0-0 Genoa
Spezia Team News
Thiago Motta will be forced to make a tactical change for Roma’s visit, as regular striker Rey Manaj is suspended. Roma’s top scorer from last season, M’Bala Nzola, could be brought in from the bench.
Roma Team News
Jose Mourinho will call upon Henrikh Mkhitaryan for the trip to La Spezia, but youngsters Edoardo Bove and Cristian Volpato will have to be content with a place on the bench. Felix Afena-Gyan – who was sent off in the reverse fixture – or Nicolo Zaniolo will start up front, with either Tammy Abraham or the Italy international starting in attack.
Prediction and Odds
Roma could be in for a difficult match when it visits, as only Chievo have allowed more goals than the Tuscans during the current Serie A season.
- Roma Win
- Goals Under 3.5
- Both Teams to Score
