Salernitana’s hopes of avoiding relegation took another hit on Saturday as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Genoa. It was their seventh loss in nine matches in all competitions, and leaves them rooted to the bottom of Serie A.
The team is now six points adrift of safety, and with only two wins in the league all season, their situation is looking increasingly bleak.
One of those wins came against Lazio, but it is the other Rome club, Roma, who visit the Stadio Arechi on Sunday. At the moment, there is little to suggest that Salernitana can repeat their victory over the Biancocelesti.
However, that win did at least come in this stadium, and it was the only triumph of their last five top-flight matches at home. Their only other positive result in that period was a hard-fought draw against AC Milan.
Roma, meanwhile, are looking to build on their 2-1 win over Verona last weekend, which was their first match under new manager Daniele De Rossi.
A victory here would make De Rossi the first coach since Rudi Garcia in 2013 to win his first two top-flight matches in charge of the club.
Roma have a good recent record against Salernitana, having won six of the last nine league meetings between the two sides. However, the last two have been draws.
De Rossi will need to improve his side’s away form if they are to win this match. Roma have won only one of their last nine away games in all competitions, and they have lost four of their last five.
It is also a concern that they have failed to score in six of those nine matches. However, they have scored in each of their last 11 meetings with Salernitana, so the away fans should at least have hope of seeing their team score.
Key battle: Guillermo Ochoa has conceded exactly two goals in his last two league matches. That was also the case in his two previous meetings with Roma. Romelu Lukaku, who opened the scoring for Roma in their last league match, will be looking to find the net against him. He has scored four of his last six goals for the club before the 25th minute.
Hot stat: Salernitana have conceded an average of 6.5 corners per match this season. That is the highest total in the league.
Prediction: Roma to win 2-1
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