Brave though that fightback was, Roma still have some lost pride to salvage, given that they’ve now registered less points at this stage than in each of their last eight seasons.
Spezia
Spezia’s fine run of form has faltered, with two consecutive Serie A losses ahead of kick-off. The Ligurians will be eager to stop their slow slide towards the relegation battle after an improbable survival last season. Still, Spezia are on the same amount of points they had at this stage a year ago, and that should keep up spirits amongst Thiago Motta’s ranks. So too can the fact that they’ve netted in nine consecutive Serie A outings following the reverse fixture loss (0-2). However their season record against current top-nine sides is worrying, but Spezia won’t give up if they concede first, as ahead of this round only champions Inter have won more than Spezia’s two Serie A matches after trailing at half-time.
AS Roma
Without manager Jose Mourinho, who was sent off on Saturday for dissent, Roma travel to Liguria after three consecutive league draws, most recently coming back from 2-0 down against Verona. Brave though that fightback was, Roma still have some lost pride to salvage, given that they’ve now registered less points at this stage than in each of their last eight seasons. That Verona draw also saw a ‘Mourinho moment’ for the right reasons, as he deployed two goalscoring youngsters – the first time two players born since 2002 have scored in the same Serie A match. That can only provide Roma with long-term hope, despite them risking their first consecutive finishes outside the top six since the early 1990s.
Kevin Agudelo has registered his three Serie A goal contributions this season beyond the hour mark and all across Spezia’s last five matches. As for the visitors, Tammy Abraham has scored six goals across Roma’s last four away Serie A matches, with five arriving before the break. Roma have scored a league-high nine goals inside the 31st-45th minute period on the road.