Preview: Roma vs. Genoa – prediction, team news, lineups

Separated by only one period The Serie A standingsmiddle table pair Rome and Genoa meetings at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday.

Both sides have enjoyed improved form under new management, lifting them away from danger; however, they still trail the European sites by some distance.

Match preview

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Showing renewed spirit under very experienced coach Claudio Ranierisecured a last-gasp equalizer in Roma’s 2-2 draw with Bologna last time out as the capital club extended their unbeaten run to five games.

After finishing 2024 with two wins and a draw, the Giallorossi started the new year by triumphing in the Derby della Capitale against Lazio before heading to the Stadio Dall’Ara.

Alexis Saelemaekers opened the scoring against his former loan club but Bologna hit back with two quick goals; only a late VAR-awarded penalty gave Roma the chance to grab a point, and Artem Dovbyk duly stepped up to convert it.

That result kept them just inside the top half of the table, occupying 10th place on 24 points – one ahead of 11th-placed Genoa.

Ranieri’s men will first host the Grifone in Rome, who are set for a hectic schedule over the next few weeks – including two key Europa League contests and a Coppa Italia quarter-final against AC Milan.

Back in September, the reverse fixture ended 1-1 at Marassi, with Dovbyk’s first-half strike putting Roma on course for victory before Connie De Winter emerged with a dramatic equalizer in the 96th minute.

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Continuing their rise since Patrick Vieira took charge, Genoa started the second half of their Serie A campaign by winning at home for the first time this season.

Last time out, Grifone edged Parma by virtue of Morten Frendrups decisive strike, as a new owner Dan Sucu overseeing his first game after completing a recent takeover.

After six draws and four defeats at the Stadio Ferraris, they finally ended their drought after surviving a couple of second-half scares.

Thanks to Vieira’s influence, Genoa have gradually climbed up the table and have lost just one of their last 10 league games while keeping no fewer than six clean sheets.

Now they are just below Roma – albeit with only a five point buffer to the drop zone – and can overtake their capital counterparts by winning on Friday.

The Ligurian club will also be aiming to extend a five-game unbeaten run away from home as their last away defeat came back in October when they last traveled to Rome and were beaten by Lazio.

Roma Serie A form:

Roma form (all competitions):

Genoa Serie A form:

Team news

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Claudio Ranieri’s task of reviving Roma has been aided by having an almost full squad at his disposal, and only Bryan Cristante is set to sit out Friday’s game due to injury.

The Italian midfielder should return from an ankle problem next week, but with everyone else fit and ready, Ranieri could keep faith with the line-up that started against both Bologna and Lazio.

It would see Artem Dovbyk and Paulo Dybala with in front. The latter will celebrate a century of Roma appearances this weekend after his recent return to form: he has been directly involved in four goals in his last four league games.

Meanwhile, Genoa’s absentee list is long, and captain Milan Badelj came on last week when he pulled up with a hamstring problem in the win over Parma.

Patrick Vieira is still missing Vitinha, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Caleb Ekuban, Ruslan Malinovskyi, Honest Ahanor and Junior Messiah.

Top scorer once again Andrea Pinamonti spearhead Grifone’s attack with maverick striker Mario Balotelli totally missed.

Roma’s possible starting line-up:
Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Kone, Paredes, Pellegrini, Angelino; Dybala, Dovbyk

Genoa possible starting line-up:
Leali; De Winter, Bani, Vasquez, Martin; Kasa; Zanoli, Frendrup, Thorsby, Miretti; Pinamonti

We say: Roma 1-1 Genoa

At home this season, Roma have won six and lost four, summing up their chronic inconsistency under three different managers.

With Genoa actually averaging more points on their travels, they can continue their impressive run of results by making a low-scoring draw.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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