Roma – Fiorentina

After ten consecutive wins to start the season, the Giallorossi find themselves hosting Fiorentina on the back of four consecutive draws in the Serie A, a run which saw them lose the first place to in-form Juventus.

Roma’s brilliance in the start of the season was expected to take a turn when Gervinho and Totti got injured and indeed the Giallorossi started having problems up front, first barely beating Chievo and than drawing 4 times against not so strong opponents. Gervinho has returned in the process and he will be expected to show some of his early season form today against Fiorentina. Roma is still rock solid at the back, but they have scored just 4 times in their last 6 outings. Overall, Roma is posting an impressive statline of 10 wins and 4 draws in 14 matches with a 24-4 goal difference. At home, Roma is 5-2-0. The Giallorossi are in desperate need of a win, Juve is already 6 points ahead in the standings but Roma can close the gap to just three points with the game in hand they have today.

Fiorentina made some interesting investments in the summer and the team is looking pretty good right now. Star striker Mario Gomez hurt his knee and is out for some time, but “La Viola” can still score and win without him. The visitors are 5th in the standings (8 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses) and are playing pretty good on the road (4-1-2). The last time out, Fiorentina won a thriller with Verona at home, 4-3. The visiting side is in pretty good form with 3 wins in the last 4 Serie A matches.

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Team news & lineups

Roma again without Totti for today. Balzaretti is the only other absentee, while De Rossi is slightly doubtful but almost surely he will play. Fiorentina can`t count on Gomez, Hegazy, Vecino and Pasqual.

Roma: De Sanctis – Dodo, Leandro Castan, Benatia, Maicon – Strootman, De Rossi, Pjanic – Gervinho, Ljajic, Florenzi

Fiorentina: Neto – Vargas, Savic, Rodriguez, Tomovic – Borja Valero, Ambrosini, Pizarro – Cuadrado, Joaquin, Rossi

Ljajic and Pjanic will return to the starting lineup for Roma, which should give the hosts an important offensive boost compared to the last game in Atalanta.

I am still backing my Roma to win the Scudetto prediction and I rate this team very highly this season, with a top quality coach in Rudi Garcia. I can see Roma recovering after the recent bad run and the recent results make for some tasty odds for this match. They have played their best football against the strong opponents so far (Inter, Napoli) and with the huge motivation they have to stay in the title mix they should give everything on the pitch today. I reckon it will be enough for a win, since Fiorentina has serious problems in defense and will most likely concede, while Roma’s rock solid back line could frustrate the free-scoring guests. It will be tough for the Firenze side to play its usual offensive game here at Olimpico. Take a home win in this one, Roma is the better side and should control the game, taking the three points in the end. Good odds. My pick is Roma – Fiorentina 2-1.

Pick: AS Roma
Odds: 1.85 @ William Hill
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.60
Event date: 8 December

Editor Facts

• Rostick has a return of investment of 40.1% in November (6 for 9 in tips)