Serie A high-flying side Sampdoria entertain AS Roma in a rearranged Round 3 game of the Serie A this Wednesday looking to pile pressure on Giallorossi in their top-four pursuit.

Dark Horses of the Serie A

Sampdoria have done more than enough to establish themselves as a stabile force in the Italian football over the course of the last couple of years. The Blucecrhiati are growing stronger year in and year out under the leadership of ambitious yet controversial chairman Massimo Ferrero and have become somewhat of the perennial dark horses of the Italian football this year.

Midway through the 2017/18 season, Sampdoria are sitting one place below their Wednesday’s rivals in sixth, two points ahead of fallen giants AC Milan. Marco Giampaolo has one eye on European places and the high-profile midweek clash against Giallorossi is a perfect test to their credentials. Sampdoria will be hoping the experienced striker Fabio Quagliarella will continue his impressive scoring form following a hat-trick against Fiorentina last time out, which took his total tally to 15 Serie A goals in 21 appearances. The 34-year-old veteran has impressed as an unlikely replacement for Patrik Schick who left for AS Roma last summer.

Duvan Zapata and Edgar Barreto return to the side as hosts have a full crop of first-team players to choose for the game.

AS Roma Losing Momentum

Serie A giants AS Roma are going through a disappointing spell at the moment which saw them drop down to fifth in the standings, three points adrift of Inter Milan currently occupying the last Champions League spot.

Giallorossi are coming off from a five-match winless run which was initiated with a 2-1 Coppa Italia defeat back in December. Eusebio Di Francesco’s men registered two draws and as many defeats ever since and the midweek clash brings a perfect chance to get back to winning ways and record the first win of 2018. AS Roma will also be keen to make amends for the home loss to Atalanta earlier in January when Giallorossi fell victim to 2-1 defeat in an uninspired performance. Edin Dzeko scored the only goal for AS Roma on the occasion but the Bosnian could now miss the rearranged game due to his ongoing transfer talks with Premier League champions Chelsea who are attempting to seal a double deal for the experienced striker and Emerson Palmieri, who’s already agreed to move to Stamford Bridge.

With Dzeko and Palmieri on their way to England, AS Roma will also be without Rick Karsdorp and Diego Perotti. Daniele De Rossi is expected to get back to contention.

Verdict

Sampdoria hold the upper hand over their Wednesday rivals having beaten AS Roma 2-1 less than two weeks ago. Giallorossi are desperately looking for their first win in 2018 but we should take notice that their cutting edge will be a bit blunt this time around with Edin Dzeko on his way to Chelsea.

Top pick: Both teams to score – No   2.50 (6/4) @Betfair

Alternative pick 1: Under 2.5 goals   2.35 (23/17) @188bet

Alternative pick 2: Draw   4.80 (19/5) @Ladbrokes