Serie A | Gameweek 27

Mar 2, 2025 at 5pm UK

Stadio Olimpico

Roma vs Como

Match preview

Not only have Roma picked up the most points in 2025 - 20 so far - but they also hold the last unbeaten record in Serie A this calendar year, as the return of Claudio Ranieri continues to work wonders.

Six wins and two draws since the start of January have put them back in contention for European qualification, although they remain four points adrift of sixth-placed Bologna.

Last time out, Ranieri's men thrashed rock-bottom Monza 4-0, with in-form winger Alexis Saelemaekers scoring after just 10 minutes to set up a comprehensive home win.

Roma have now won their last three league games without conceding a goal and could now record four successive wins in Serie A for the first time since 2020; the last time they kept four consecutive clean sheets was almost seven years ago.

Having previously beaten Porto to set up a Europa League tie with Athletic Bilbao - the first leg of which takes place next week - there is still plenty to play for between now and the end of their once disastrous campaign.

The Giallorossi were beaten 2-0 in Como during their miserable run at the end of last year and will be keen to avoid losing both Serie A games against promoted opponents for the first time since 1996, when Atalanta BC achieved the double.

Having spent most of their history in the lower divisions, Como have only won one top-flight away game against Roma in 12 attempts - the first coming back in April 1950.

This time around, the Lombard outfit travel to the Stadio Olimpico having seen off Scudetto hopefuls Napoli to move closer to survival.

The Lariani returned to Serie A last summer full of ambition and, after taking some time to adapt, are now sitting in mid-table, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

An early own goal helped them to a 2-1 win over Napoli at the Stadio Sinigaglia, with 19-year-old winter signing Assane Diao scoring for the third game in a row.

Only two players under the age of 20 - Alexandre Pato and Moise Kean - have found the net in four consecutive Serie A games this century, but the Spanish forward can join that exclusive club this weekend.

On Sunday, Como could also make it three wins in a row in the top flight for the first time in 72 years, and with Diao and Real Madrid star Nico Paz in fine form, they will test Roma's new-found resilience.

Recent Performance

Roma Serie A form:WWDWWW

Roma form (all competitions):LWDWWW

Como Serie A form:WLLLWW

Team News

Roma remain without top scorer Artem Dovbic, who is still recovering from a thigh strain, meaning Eldor Shomurodov will once again start up front. The Ukrainian star resumed some joint training on Friday but has yet to return to the pitch.

The Uzbek striker could be supported by a recalled Paulo Dybala, who was rested against Monza, while Alexis Saelemaekers is likely to start on the hosts' right wing.

Saelemaekers has already scored five times in Serie A this season, a personal best, and has netted five times in seven appearances since the end of 20/24.

Meanwhile, Assane Diao (six - five for Como and one for Real Betis) is the youngest player to score five or more goals in Europe's top five leagues this season, with Nico Paz the fourth-youngest.

The duo should partner Gabriel Strefezza up front for the Lariani, with Patrick Cutrone relegated to the bench.

Como coach Cesc Fabregas is still without experienced midfielder Sergi Roberto due to a calf problem, while Alessandro Gabrielloni, Ignace Van der Brempt and Alberto Dossena are all doubts.

Possible starting lineup

Roma possible starting lineup:

Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Kone, Paredes, Angelino; Dybala, Pellegrini; Shomurodov

Como possible starting lineup:

Butez; Smolcic, Kempf, Goldaniga, Valle; Caqueret, Perrone, Da Cunha; Strefezza, Paz, Diao