It will be up to free-scoring Torino to try and break Roma’s mean defence that has conceded just one goal so far and possibly even end the Giallorossi’s ten-match winning run. That will be no easy task as Rudi Garcia’s side don’t look like slowing down any time soon, but chances are we will see a highly entertaining encounter.

Eight goals in last four

Shortly after returning to the elite division in the summer of 2012, Torino have shown Serie A what it has been missing, with Giampiero Ventura’s side taking part in some incredibly entertaining matches. Granata in turn showed everyone that survival can be secured even when playing attack-minded football, and no wonder they have resisted temptation to change the style of play this term. This has seen Torino create a five-point advantage over the relegation zone and no doubt they will continue to climb the Serie A standings. While only losing to bitter local rivals Juventus at home, Giampiero Ventura’s men defeated Sassuolo, while playing out entertaining draws with Milan, Hellas Verona and Inter Milan. The 3-3 draw at Livorno in midweek is enough to suggest the team have rediscovered their scoring form after firing blanks at Stadio San Paolo and everything suggests Roma back line will have their work cut out for them on Sunday evening. The hosts still have some important missings, but that did not stop them from impressing in their previous home match against Inter.

Gillet and Vives are banned, whereas Larrondo, Rodriguez, Bovo and Brighi are out injured and Farnerud is doubtful.

How’s that for traditional underperformers!

Roma fans weren’t raising their hopes high when Rudi Garcia took over the reigns this summer and several high-profile players arrived as they had already been disappointed too many times in the past few years. But, the French coach managed to rebuild the squad surprisingly fast, with the Giallorossi enjoying a perfect start to the league campaign and opening up a five-point lead at the Serie A summit. Roma not only won ten straight games, but conceded just one goal in the process and kept seven clean sheets in a row, conceding the only goal so far away to Parma. However, the narrow win over sorry Chievo is enough to suggest that the pressure is slowly getting to the players and it is only a matter of time before the team will make their first slip-up. With home games against Sassuolo and Cagliari next, Roma will be desperate to triumph at Stadio Olimpico di Torino, but that is clearly easier said than done. With the hosts so impressive up front, I am afraid the Giallorossi will not be able to keep a clean sheet this time out, especially with Leandro Castan missing.

The Brazilian defender is banned, whilst Francesco Totti, Mattia Destro and Gervinho are not yet ready to return from injury.

Verdict

Free-scoring Torino face the ultimate test against the strongest defence in the league, but the likes of Immobile and Cerci are likely to prove a handful for the Giallorossi. Roma are brimming with confidence after breaking the record for most successive wins, but everything suggests they will be in for a difficult night at Stadio Olimpico di Torino.

Top pick: Over 2.5 goals   1.95 (19/20) @ bet365

Alternative pick 1: Both teams to score   1.78 (39/50) @ BetVictor

Alternative pick 2: Draw   3.50 (5/2) @ Betfred