Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Friendly Games
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

Preview: Roma vs. Hellas Verona - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 18 January 2024, 19:17
Following the shock removal of controversial head coach Jose Mourinho, Roma host Hellas Verona at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening.

Last week's loss to AC Milan was the final straw for the Giallorossi's owners, who now hope to surge up the Serie A standings under a returning hero.

Match preview

With the capital club lying ninth in Serie A after their seventh league defeat of the season, Jose Mourinho was finally forced to bid an emotional farewell to the Roma fans who had backed him through many ups and downs since his arrival in 2021.

Sunday's 3-1 loss to Milan at San Siro followed hot on the heels of last week's Coppa Italia exit to bitter rivals Lazio, and Mourinho's consistent failure to get the better of Italy's other major clubs ultimately saw him receive his marching orders.

Despite reaching two European finals and securing some overdue silverware, the Giallorossi's American owners - the Friedkin family - were sufficiently dissatisfied to wield the axe, and they moved quickly to appoint former midfield maestro Daniele De Rossi as interim boss until the end of the season.

De Rossi played 616 times for the club during his impressive playing career, so the new man in charge will certainly have an instant rapport with Roma's passionate fanbase - even if his managerial CV remains modest.

Having managed just one win from their past five matches - against Serie B side Cremonese in the Coppa Italia - Roma have some catching up to do in order to secure a top-six finish, so maintaining their home form is essential.

At Stadio Olimpico this season, they have secured 21 points from a possible 30, and this weekend they will aim to prolong an unbeaten streak on home turf that dates all the way back to September.

Setting the tone for a difficult domestic campaign, which has been hampered by several losses on the road, the Giallorossi lost their first away fixture of the season in Verona, so they now seek revenge against a club they last lost to in Rome more than 50 years ago.

Verona may have been beaten in no less than 20 of their last 26 away games versus Roma, drawing all the others, but August's 2-1 win at Stadio Bentegodi sets them up for a crack at completing the league double over the Eternal City side for the first time since 1969.

Ondrej Duda opened the scoring that day, while star striker Cyril Ngonge was also on the scoresheet, but there had been little else to cheer for fans of the Gialloblu to cheer about until last week's 2-1 triumph over Empoli.

After back-to-back defeats against last-placed Salernitana and league leaders Inter Milan, Hellas were in dire need of three points from their first home fixture of 2024; goals from Milan Djuric and Napoli-bound Ngonge proved enough to secure victory against a direct survival rival, although Marco Baroni's men remain deeply embroiled in the danger zone.

Verona occupy 18th place on 17 points, but there are now several teams dangling just above them, so a good run of results could instigate a rapid ascent of the standings.

However, Hellas have posted two draws, seven losses and just one win on the road this term: ending a nine-match winless streak away from home will now be their aim against opponents in turmoil.

Roma Serie A form:

D

L

W

L

D

L

Roma form (all competitions):

W

L

W

D

L

L

Hellas Verona Serie A form:

D

L

W

L

L

W

Advert - content below:

Team News

Reports differ as to whether Daniele De Rossi will significantly alter Roma's shape or initially stick with Jose Mourinho's tried-and-trusted three-man defence, but one player certain to feature if passed fit is Paulo Dybala.

The mercurial forward is set to make himself available this weekend, after missing last week's loss in Milan with another muscular injury, and should start behind the hosts' leading marksman Romelu Lukaku. The latter, on eight league goals this season, has faced Verona four times in Serie A without scoring.

De Rossi's options are compromised by the continuing absences of Tammy Abraham, Chris Smalling and Renato Sanches, while Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante are still suspended following their red cards in the derby defeat to Lazio; Evan Ndicka is away representing hosts Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Meanwhile, Verona have seen regular starters Cyril Ngonge and Josh Doig head towards the departure door, as the club's financial woes continue, and they will also have several players banned on Saturday.

Darko Lazovic, Ondrej Duda and Diego Coppola must all serve suspensions, so Marco Baroni may turn to Pawel Dawidowicz and Bruno Amione to cover in defence.

In the absence of Ngonge, Jordi Mboula or Riccardo Saponara could support the visitors' five-goal top scorer Milan Djuric up front.

Roma possible starting lineup:

Patricio; Huijsen, Llorente, Kristensen; Celik, Pellegrini, Paredes, Spinazzola; Dybala; Belotti, Lukaku

Hellas Verona possible starting lineup:

Montipo; Tchatchoua, Dawidowicz, Magnani, Amione; Serdar, Folorunsho; Mboula, Suslov, Saponara; Djuric

We say: Roma 3-1 Hellas Verona

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Vinicius Junior struggled once again for Brazil on Wednesday, with his side having been beaten 4-1 by fierce rivals Argentina. 27 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The agent of Chelsea attacker Joao Felix is reportedly in contact with Galatasaray to discuss a potential summer transfer for his client. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The RHG Enerturk Enerji Stadyumu will host a crucial relegation clash on Friday when Kayserispor take on Hatayspor in the Turkish Super Lig. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson is being eyed up by Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho for a summer transfer, according to a report. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have received a major fitness boost ahead of their return to domestic action, as Nicolas Jackson is confirmed to be training on the grass again following a hamstring injury. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Second-placed Bayer Leverkusen could close the gap to leaders Bayern Munich to three points with a victory in the Bundesliga against visitors VfL Bochum on Friday at BayArena. 26 March 2025 talksport.com Alessia Russo inspired Arsenal Women to a 3-0 win over Real Madrid to book their spot in the Champions League semi-finals. 26 March 2025 talksport.com Max Cleworth is Wrexham's most valuable player - he would fetch co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney a record transfer. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal Women produced a devastating second-half display against Real Madrid Femenino as they reached the Women's Champions League semi-finals with a 3-0 quarter-final second-leg win at the Emirates Stadium, sealing a 3-2 success on aggregate. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Leaders Barcelona will resume their La Liga title bid when they face Osasuna at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Thursday. 26 March 2025 talksport.com Victor Wanyama has sealed a shock return to British football - at Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen was reportedly watched by officials from Barcelona during the recent round of UEFA Nations League matches. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly among the clubs interested in signing rising Serie A star Gustav Isaksen during the summer transfer window. 26 March 2025 talksport.com They're not singing anymore… 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly initiated contact with the entourage of Brighton & Hove Albion attacker Joao Pedro ahead of a possible transfer for the Brazilian in the summer window. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Rayo Vallecano defender Andrei Ratiu allegedly has admirers in the Barcelona dressing room amid suggestions that the Catalan outfit could move for him during this summer's transfer window. 26 March 2025 talksport.com Todd Boehly's alleged involvement in a ticket resale website has led to the Chelsea Supporters' Trust to demand an investigation into their club chairman. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Ligue 1 gets back underway after the international break when in-form Champions League hopefuls Strasbourg and Lyon go head-to-head at the Stade de la Meinau on Friday night. 26 March 2025 talksport.com Olympique Lyonnais remain at risk of relegation to Ligue 2, despite being on the brink of securing European qualification. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's decision to provide Jurgen Klopp with more power contributed to the club's failure to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold to a new deal, Reds expert David Lynch has claimed. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Benfica defender Antonio Silva for just €40m (£33.5m) this summer. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk This weekend's Turkish Super Lig action will get underway at Corendon Airlines Park, where Antalyaspor will be playing host to Alanyaspor on Friday afternoon. 26 March 2025 talksport.com Jose Mourinho created some minor miracles at Real Madrid, but his unnoticed heroics with Raphael Varane have now been revealed by the player. 26 March 2025 talksport.com Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes had one big chance to prove they were better than Steven Gerrard, but failed miserably. 26 March 2025 talksport.com 26 March 2025 talksport.com Liverpool fans may have to see Trent Alexander-Arnold in Real Madrid colours even sooner than they think. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly working on a move for Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg, with the Red Devils determined to win the race for his signature during this summer's transfer window. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly learned the asking price of Southampton winger Tyler Dibling. 26 March 2025 talksport.com Dean Huijsen was left red faced after he was asked if he was on drugs during an interview. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Fresh off a two-week hiatus, the Primeira Liga returns as Gil Vicente welcome Benfica for the opening fixture of matchday 27 on Friday evening.