Prediction: Roma vs Juventus

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to lay down a marker on Sunday night and make up some ground in the European hunt, Juventus will travel to the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night when they meet Roma.

Roma

Starting with the hosts, while Roma might have eventually managed to extend on their Europa League adventure last week, Jose Mourinho’s side came crashing back down to earth in some style. Despite claiming a second-leg 2-0 victory against Austrian giants Salzburg on February 23rd, the one-time Manchester United boss once again finds growing pressure on his shoulders. Getting hit with an infamous 2-1 loss away at Cremonse side who had not claimed a single Serie A victory this season, the Giallorossi have come tumbling out of the top-four positions. Although Roma might have opened 2023 enjoying what was an eye-catching flurry, Mourinho’s side have now won just a pair of their last five top-flight battles and have the feel of a squad seeking a much-needed boost. However, knowing that they must find an immediate response this weekend, Sunday’s hosts should be boosted by their continued success at the Stadio Olimpico. In fact, Roma have won each of their last four Serie A showdowns on home soil by an aggregate score of 6-0.

Team News

Serving a one-match suspension in last weekend’s infamous 2-1 loss against Cremonese, former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling will make an immediate return here. However, 21-year-old Ebrima Darboe will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

Having to settle for a spot on the bench last weekend, England international Tammy Abraham will likely make a full return on Sunday night and lead Roma’s charge on home soil.

Juventus

As for the visitors, while Juventus might have been dealing with a string of public issues behind the scenes this year, they are in the midst of what has become a real purple patch. Extending on their own Europa League adventure last week as they secured a 3-0 romp away at French outfit Nantes in their second-leg meeting, Massimiliano Allegri’s side now have their sights firmly set on making up some ground in the top-six chase. Looking to lay down a marker when they travel to the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night, the Old Lady have now won six of their last seven appearances across all competitions. Likewise, not suffering a single defeat since their infamous 2-0 loss against Monza back on January 29th, Juventus have also found quite a clinical edge in the final third. Last seen putting in a thumping display on home soil as they claimed a 4-2 victory at home against Torino, Allegri’s men have notched nine strikes in their previous three consecutive wins.

Team News

Serving a one-match suspension last weekend, Allegri’s side will be glad to welcome back Italian international Manuel Locatelli on Sunday night. However, the likes of Arkadiusz Milik, Fabio Miretti and Daoyda Peeters are still with extended injury issues.

While Paul Pogba might have finally made his second Juventus debut in last week’s 4-2 victory against Torino, the French international will likely start off on the bench here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two Italian icons last met back on August 27th, Roma and Juventus played out a 1-1 draw in Turin.
• However, Juventus are unbeaten in each of their last five meetings against Sunday’s hosts.
• Six of the last eight meetings between Roma and Juventus have finished with both teams finding the net.
• The Old Lady have scored nine goals in their previous three consecutive wins across all competitions.
• Roma have won each of their last four matchups at the Stadio Olimpico by a 6-0 aggregate score.

Conclusion

While Roma might be glad to make a return to home soil here, Mourinho’s downbeat squad should be bracing themselves for a stern test this weekend. Eventually getting hit with a stunning 2-1 loss away at leading relegation scrappers Cremonse last time out, the ex-Manchester United boss is desperate for his side to find some recent stability. However, despite continuing to impress at the Stadio Olimpico, Roma will be hosting a Juventus side who are enjoying an eye-catching flurry. Claiming an action-packed 4-2 victory against Torino last weekend, Sunday’s guests have now won six of their last seven appearances across all formats. It should be noted, with six of their previous eight meetings finishing with both teams finding the net, we are backing a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Unibet