Roma vs Genoa preview

May 2, 2015
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Roma vs GenoaRoma made a giant step towards a top 3 finish with a big win over Sassuolo, but they cannot allow any surprises against in-form Genoa.

The Rossoblu are on the verge of European positions and arrive at Stadio Olimpico on the back of four wins in last five matches.

Roma experienced plenty of problems after dropping out of the title chase in Serie A and they were in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification altogether.

Team’s advantage over Napoli melted to just two points as Rudi Garcia’s men could only take two points from three matches, and no doubt the match against Sassuolo was must-win for them.

But, despite the added pressure, Roma produced one of their best performances of the season to win the game 3-0 and with the Azzurri losing to Empoli, they head into the final five games with a five-point cushion.

Nevertheless, the Giallorossi will want to cement the third place in the standings this weekend and they can be backed at 1.60 (3/5) to emerge victorious.

Miralem Pjanic and Seydou Keita both returned into action in midweek, while Adem Ljajic should be back in contention as well.

Jose Holebas is likely to be recalled, but Douglas Maicon, Leandro Castan and Kevin Strootman remain on the sidelines.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): De Sanctis – Florenzi, Manolas, Yanga-Mbiwa, Holebas – Nainggolan, Keita, Pjanic – Ljajic, Totti, Gervinho.

While many expected Genoa to be involved in another relegation tussle, Gian Piero Gasperini’s charges quickly proved the doubters wrong.

They have been exceeding expectations from the very start to the season and are now in a position to fight for Europa League qualification.

With five games to go, Genoa sit one point behind local rivals Sampdoria, who occupy the final European berth although Fiorentina, Torino and Inter are also in the mix.

However, it is the Rossoblu that are in the best form of all top 5 contenders, having won four of last five league matches.

And seeing as they boast an impressive 6-5-5 away record, maybe there is value in backing Genoa at 7.00 (6/1) to claim maximum points.

Tino Costa and Marco Borriello returned into action in midweek, but Diego Perotti and Lorenzo Ariaudo miss out through injury.

Probable starting line-up (3-4-2-1): Perin – Roncaglia, Burdisso, Izzo – Edenilson, Rincon, Costa, Bergdich – Falque, Bertolacci – Niang.

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