The second of the mid-week games in Serie A is the rearranged fixture between Sampdoria and Roma and this will be played on Wednesday night at the Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris in Genoa.
Sampdoria are currently holding the final European qualifying spot in Serie A and are 7 points behind 5th place Roma. While anything above 6th place would be a bonus for Sampdoria, if they could consolidate their position in 6th and qualify the Europa League, it would be a good season.
The same cannot be said for Roma, who had title ambitions at the start of this campaign but have been left battling for two Champions League places with Inter Milan and Lazio. A win here would leave Roma level with Inter Milan on 43 points.
Sampdoria enjoyed a good 3-1 win at home over Fiorentina on Sunday afternoon and they needed that victory following a disappointing 3-2 defeat at the hands of bottom club Benevento.
It is Sampdoria’s home form which is holding their season together and they have won ten of their twelve home matches in all competitions this season. Compare that to their away results, which has seen Sampdoria win just two matches this season and lose four of their last five and you get an idea of their strength at home.
At home in Serie A this season, Sampdoria have defeated AC Milan, Atalanta, Juventus and Fiorentina, highlighting how good they can be in-front of their own fans. Interestingly, both teams have scored in four of their last six home matches.
Roma travel to Genoa having picked up a point in a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan on Sunday night. This could prove to be a crucial point in terms of a top four place this season.
However, that result means Roma have failed to win any of their last five games in all competitions. In addition to the draw at Inter Milan, Roma have been held by Sassuolo at home and defeated by Torino, Juventus and Atalanta. The dropped points at home against Sassuolo and Atalanta were poor results.
Roma have lost only two of their twelve away matches in all competitions this season, which were recent defeats at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and Juventus in Serie A.
Trends show Roma have lost only one away match in Serie A this season but have failed to win in their last four on the road.
Looking ahead to the team news and Sampdoria should be at full strength for this game. There are no real injury concerns but both forward Gaston Ramirez and defensive midfielder Lucas Torreira are one yellow card away from suspension.
Roma are still without right-back Rick Karsdorp and left-winger Diego Perotti who are injured. Midfielder Maxime Gonalons is also on the treatment table with a calf injury. Radja Nainggolan, Federico Fazio and Daniele De Rossi are one yellow card from suspension.
This has the makings of being a very good game, with both teams capable of scoring goals. Sampdoria are good at home, while Roma are tough to beat on the road and the match could end level.