Prediction: Roma vs Monza

Verdict: Roma win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Two sides who have their sights set on breaking into the European spots this weekend, Roma will welcome Monza to the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday lunchtime.

Roma

Starting with the hosts, while Roma might have opened up the 2023/24 campaign in the midst of a public struggle, Jose Mourinho’s men certainly claimed a much-welcomed boost prior to October’s international break. Last seen heading into the fortnight interval with a stellar 4-1 romp away at Cagliari, the one-time Manchester United boss has seen his side win each of their previous three appearances across all formats. Skyrocketing their way up the table and still dreaming of the chance to mount a genuine top-four charge this time around, the Italian heavyweights will be desperate to make another statement here. Likewise, breezing their way to a 4-0 victory against Swiss outfit Servette while on Europa League duties earlier in the month and sat in pole position to punch their knockout stage ticket, Mourinho’s men have also gained a reputation for their clinical performances in the final third.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term knee injury and yet to make a single Serie A appearance this season, Roma will once again be without England international Tammy Abraham this weekend. However, Mourinho’s side are hopeful that former Leeds man Diego Llorente can play some part on Sunday lunchtime.

Once again finding the net while away with Belgium over the past fortnight and only continuing to shine since completing a season-long loan switch from Chelsea, the red-hot Romelu Lukaku will spearhead Roma’s attack here.

Monza

As for the visitors, gaining plenty of praise from across Serie A last season as they narrowly missed out on booking a top-half finish, Monza have certainly come flying out of the traps this time around. Last seen heading into October’s international break with a thumping 3-0 win against Salernitana, Raffaele Palladino’s men should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Dreaming of the chance to claim a famous European spot this season, the Reds have lost just one of their previous seven Serie A appearances – a run that stems all the way back to August 19th. Opening October with a rugged 1-0 victory away at Sassuolo, Monza will arrive at the Stadio Olimpico looking to spring a heavyweight upset. Opening up this weekend’s fixtures sat just a single point adrift of breaking into the top-six, Palladino’s side could prove to be a tough test for the Giallorossi.

Team News

Still yet to make a single Serie A appearance this season, Monza are expected to once again be without former Inter Milan youngster Davide Bettella this weekend. However, the Reds are hopeful that ex-Torino defender Armando Izzo will be able to return from a minor knock here.

Making the move from Spanish outfit Sevilla this summer, Argentina international Papu Gomez could make his full Monza debut on Sunday lunchtime. Despite notching just a single Serie A strike this season, 21-year-old Lorenzo Colombo should spearhead Palladino’s attack.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Roma and Monza last met back on May 3rd, Sunday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate in Lombardy.
• The Giallorossi entered October’s international break having won each of their final three appearances by an aggregate score of 10-1.
• Likewise, Roma have also won each of their last three showdowns at the Stadio Olimpico by an aggregate score of 13-0.
• Monza have lost just one of their previous seven Serie A appearances – a run that stems all the way back to August 19th.
• However, continuing on from last season, Monza have recorded just a single clean sheet from their previous seven appearances on foreign soil.

Conclusion

Claiming what was quite the purple patch prior to October’s international break, Roma will be desperate to simply carry on from where they left off earlier in the month. Winning each of their last three appearances across all competitions and continuing to gain a reputation for their rather remarkable free-scoring performances in the final third, Mourinho’s side will be looking to make up some ground in the top-four chase. Landing a 3-0 romp when they last welcomed Monza to the Stadio Olimpico last season, we are backing a similar home victory on Sunday lunchtime.

Verdict: Roma win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet