Roma is set to host Cagliari on Monday at Stadio Olimpico as they aim to regain momentum in their quest for a top-four finish in Serie A. Currently, Roma struggles with a recent record of one loss and two draws in their last three matches. Meanwhile, Cagliari arrives with newfound confidence, following three consecutive victories.
Match Preview
Roma’s form has been inconsistent, with notable draws against AC Milan and Panathinaikos. However, their recent loss to Udinese was a disappointing setback. With 14 victories from 23 Serie A matches, Roma is experiencing their best start to a season since 2017, when they finished second. The team is focused on securing a top-four position to return to the Champions League, competing with Juventus, Como, and Atalanta for that spot. Historically, Roma has performed well against Cagliari at home, having won the last three encounters without conceding.
Cagliari’s Rise
Cagliari recently ended a poor run by defeating Roma 1-0 in December, which marked a turning point for the team. This victory initiated a winning streak that has seen them climb to mid-table. Their last match resulted in a dominant 4-0 win over Hellas Verona. Cagliari has now won as many league matches in the last three games as they had in the previous 17. The team is aiming for their first back-to-back victory over Roma in league history since their earlier match this season.
Team News
Roma is facing several injury concerns. Key players such as Manu Kone and Paulo Dybala are unavailable, while Stephan El Shaarawy is also likely to miss out. Evan Ferguson may return to the bench, and loan signing Bryan Zaragoza could make his debut. Donyell Malen is expected to lead the attack.
On the other side, Cagliari will miss Michael Folorunsho, Andrea Belotti, Mattia Felici, Gennaro Borrelli, and Yerry Mina. Semih Kilicsoy, who has impressed in recent games, is expected to start in the forward line, supported by Sebastiano Esposito.
Potential Starting Lineups
| Roma | Cagliari |
|---|---|
| Svilar | Caprile |
| Mancini | Ze Pedro |
| Ndicka | Rodriguez |
| Ghilardi | Obert |
| Celik | Palestra |
| Cristante | Adopo |
| El Aynaoui | Gaetano |
| Wesley | Mazzitelli |
| Soule | Idrissi |
| Pellegrini | Esposito |
| Malen | Kilicsoy |
Prediction
Considering both teams’ current trajectories, the match at the Olimpico is expected to be competitive. While Cagliari poses a significant threat due to their recent form, Roma’s home advantage could prove pivotal in securing a narrow 1-0 victory.
