Indeed, after winning the first-ever Europa Conference League last season, Jose Mourinho will be eager to add to both his and the team’s impressive collection of trophies at the conclusion of the current season.
Roma’s chances of winning the Serie A for the first time in 22 years have probably already vanished, with top-four and Champions League qualification the best they can hope for. Napoli, the league’s undisputed leaders, are currently 13 points clear of the Yellow and Reds!
However, two late goals from Roger Ibanez and Tammy Abraham against the defending champions AC Milan on Sunday made sure that their rivals and Juventus remained within six points of them in third and second place, respectively.
Such a remarkable outcome – especially given the circumstances – should boost confidence before hosting Genoa at Stadio Olimpico this week.
Mourinho’s team is still vying for the Europa League, which not only offers an additional chance to win a trophy for Europe, but also a direct entry into the Champions League. They will play RB Salzburg, the reigning Austrian champions, twice next month.
Despite suffering from some patchy form at times this season, there is plenty for Roma to play for between now and the end of the season, with a potential meeting against Napoli in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals awaiting them should they manage to swat Genoa aside as expected on Thursday.
Genoa had to pass through two rounds of the Coppa Italia after being demoted from Serie A last year in order to reach this stage.
Albert Gudmundsson scored three goals in those two wins against fellow Serie B teams Benevento and SPAL, defeating them 3-2 and 1-0, respectively.
As a result, the Griffin might win the Italian domestic cup for the first time since the 1991–92 campaign, when they were defeated 4–1 by Parma, who went on to win the championship.
The goal for Alberto Gilardino’s team this season is unquestionably to win Serie B for a record-extending seventh time, as they do not want to spend an extended period of time stuck in the second tier of Italian football, as happened after their 1995 relegation.
They are currently in third place in Italy’s second division, with Frosinone and Reggina occupying the automatic promotion spots.
At this point in his managerial career, Gilardino would consider defeating one of Italy’s heavyweights a significant victory, but the former AC Milan striker is still looking to establish himself in this field after previous stints with Rezzato, Pro Vercelli, and Siena.
1×2 Betting Odds
Roma should still have too much depth for their second-tier opponents and be able to advance safely to the quarterfinals despite the fact that Mourinho may elect to make several selection changes given his team’s push for the top four and involvement in European football this season!
And the betting market agrees, as it is the home side indeed, who are the favourites to win @ 1.48.
The Serie B team who are currently 3rd on the table are no match for Mourinho’s Roma! They are the underdogs in this @ 7.49.
The possibility of a stalemate after the 90 mins are played, stands @ 4.65.
Total goals over/under
The odds that the total number of goals scored will be over 2.5, stands @ 1.90.
While the odds that the total number of goals will be under 2.5, stands @ 1.99.
Jose Mourinho’s Roma, like any other side of his, puts more emphasis on defence than attack!
Expect Roma to pick up the win against Genoa from Serie B, but also expect a low scoring encounter!
