Roma vs Genoa preview

March 18, 2012
By: Matthew Clarke

The final match of gameweek 28 in Italian Serie A will see resurgent Roma play host to Genoa, a team that are without a victory in last six league games.

Despite some very inconsistent performances and numerous slip-ups this season, the Giallorossi remain in contention for European places, but they will need a strong finish to the season in order to realize their ambitions.

Luis Enrique’s side did well to end the two-match losing run as they beat Palermo at Renzo Barbera, and the win is likely to give Roma a much needed boost before the clash with struggling Genoa.

With all their rivals facing tough games at the weekend, the Giallorossi could really profit by beating Genoa and they are 1.53 (8/15) with Ladbrokes to do so.

The hosts are boosted by the return of Maarten Stekelenburg, Marco Cassetti and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo from suspension, whereas Daniele De Rossi is expected to feature as well.

However, Francesco Totti, Nicolas Burdisso, Juan and Miralem Pjanic are all unavailable through injury.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-1-2): Stekelenburg – Rosi, Heinze, Kjaer, Taddei – Gago, De Rossi, Greco – Lamela – Osvaldo, Borini.

Following some under-par showings in the first part of the season, Genoa showed improvement to beat Champions League hopefuls Udinese, Napoli and Lazio at their Luigi Ferraris, but rather than acting as a major confidence boost, the victories had just the opposite effect.

The Rossoblu have since failed to win any of their next six league games, losing first three before recording three straight draws.

In spite of the dismal run of results, Pasquale Marino’s side are still not in the danger zone as they are eight points clear of the bottom three, but few more poor results and that will change.

Genoa cannot be expected to win at Olimpico, but another draw is a realistic possibility and you should know draw pays 4.20 (16/5) at Sportingbet.

Kevin Constant has joined Juraj Kucka and Giuseppe Sculli in the infirmary, whereas Luca Antonelli, Cesare Bovo and Andreas Granqvist remain long-term worries.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-1-2): Frey – Rossi, Carvalho, Kaladze, Moretti – Mesto, Veloso, Biondini – Belluschi – Palacio, Gilardino.

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