It has not been the best of starts to the new season for Roma, who are set to host high-flying Sampdoria on Sunday looking to end the visitors’ three-match winning run.

European blow making things difficult

Giallorossi have endured a difficult start to the 2016-17 campaign as Luciano Spalletti’s men suffered a disappointing and premature bow from the Champions League having lost 4-1 on aggregate to FC Porto in the play-off round of the qualification process. A 3-0 home defeat was particularly unsatisfactory since Roma ended the match two men down following red cards for De Rossi and Emerson, which have in great deal influenced the final score. Porto loss came as a huge blow after a comprehensive 4-0 triumph over Udinese at the beginning of the Serie A season and has most certainly affected Giallorossi’s performance at Cagliari. Roma had to settle for a 2-2 draw and Luciano Spalletti will now be eager to motivate his team to overcome initial difficulties and record a much needed home win over Sampdoria. Roma have lost MIralem Pjanic during summer, one of the most influential and important players last season and Spalletti’s men are now forced to cope without a huge creative string in the middle of the park.

Daniele De Rossi is struggling with a calf injury and will be forced to miss the game against Sampdoria. Abdullahi Nura, Antonio Rudiger and Mario Rui are all out with knee problems and will also be unavailable for the Sunday clash.

High-flying Doria

Sampdoria have started the new campaign by putting down solid foundations they will use to build their team upon during the 2016-17 season, both on and of the pitch. Doria were forced to cut their salary budget to stay in line with FIFA and Lega requirements which have imposed budget parity on all football clubs. The changes also helped Doriani clear the air with their players and see who they can count on under the new terms. By cutting their salary budget by €4 million, Sampdoria had to sort out the high-earners like Fabio Quagliarella, Matias Silvestre and eventually Antonio Cassano, who on his own part is having hard time accepting the changes. Bad boy of Italian football has fallen out of favour with the club head coach, board and the president Massimo Ferrero himself. Having brought Dennis Praet and Jacopo Sala as the two most prominent summer signings, Doriani got off to a flying start to their Serie A campaign. Back-to-back wins over Empoli and Atalanta respectively have been a huge morale boost for Marco Giampaolo’s men, who are looking for three in a row at Roma on Sunday.

Summer arrival from Benfica Filip Djuricic is injured for the occasion and will join Andrea Tozzo in the recovery room. Antonio Cassano has been frozen out, but is also suspended and the experienced Italy international is facing a long season under the duvet.

Verdict

Roma have endured mixed fortunes so far in the new season and Luciano Spalletti’s men will be highly motivated to record a win that would be a huge incentive after the international break that would allow Giallorossi to kick-start their season. Sampdoria travel to Rome on the back of two consecutive league wins which tells us that we are in for what is likely to be an openly contested, exciting affair.

Top pick: Both teams to score – yes   1.94 (15/16) @888sport

Alternative pick 1: Over 2.5 goals   1.62 (8/13) @PaddyPower

Alternative pick 2: Sampdoria   9.5 (17/2) @SkyBet