Serie A Preview: Roma vs Como – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction | OneFootball

Stadio Olimpico is the venue as Roma and Como go head-to-head in a Serie A meeting in the capital for the first time since November 2002. Though only four places separate the teams before the kick-off, they aim for quite opposing goals this season.

As arguably the most in-form Italian team in 2025, Roma could still land European qualification despite an underwhelming start to the season. Roma’s purple patch under veteran manager Claudio Ranieri has rekindled their dream of securing a coveted top-six finish.

Four different players were on the scoresheet as Roma thrashed relegation-threatened Monza 4-0 last week to climb within touching distance of sixth-placed Fiorentina. Only five points separated the teams pre-round, highlighting the importance of avenging a defeat in December.

Indeed, Como stunned Roma 2-0 in the reverse fixture as Alessandro Gabrielloni and Nico Paz scored in second-half stoppages to inspire Cesc Fabregas’ side to one of their seven league victories this season. That’s only four wins fewer than Roma.

However, the Lariani, who boasted a healthy seven-point margin to the relegation zone pre-round, are fighting a different battle. Survival remains the club’s top priority after returning to Serie A after over two decades. Everything has gone to plan thus far as they head into proceedings amid a purple patch.

Match Preview

Roma

Last weekend’s rout of a lowly Monza extended Roma’s formidable unbeaten run in Serie A to ten matches (W7, D3), bookending a three-game winning streak in domestic football. As the only team in Italy’s top-tier competition yet to lose in 2025 (W6, D2), they seem well-positioned to claim their revenge against Como.

However, there’s no room for complacency, considering Roma lost their last two meetings with the lake outfit. As a result, they’re staring down the barrel of being doubled in the same season by a newly promoted team for the first time since Atalanta got the better of them in 1995/96.

Avoiding that unwanted feat is imperative for Roma, with Ranieri eager to complete his mission before returning to retirement. With no Serie A side picking up more points than Roma’s 20 this calendar year, it’d take something special from Como to halt Giallorossi’s six-game unbeaten league run at the Olimpico (W5, D1).

Como

Despite facing long odds, Como will take the field in high spirits after recording back-to-back for the second time this season. Fabregas’ side bettered two teams ranked higher than Roma in Serie A’s standings, including a remarkable 2-1 home triumph against title-bidding Napoli a week ago.

Therefore, Como could equal a piece of club history today and post a third consecutive victory in top-flight action for the first time since 1952. However, the visitors’ wait for a first set of consecutive away wins in Serie A dates back even further to 1950. It could be an added incentive for the Lariani.

But the task awaiting them is nothing short of Herculean. Since winning their first visit to the Olimpico in Serie A, Como have gone 11 successive away encounters against Roma without a victory (D4, L7), losing the last three on the trot. That’s part of the reason they enter this clash as underdogs despite their purple patch.

Team News

Roma should welcome star striker Artem Dovbyk back from injury after the Ukrainian struggled with a muscle strain in recent weeks. However, Eldor Shomurodov should keep hold of his place in attack, next to Paulo Dybala, who was handed rest against Monza. Therefore, Ranieri can rely on his entire squad for this clash.

On the other hand, Ignace Van der Brempt, Alberto Dossena, and Gabrielloni, the goalscorer in the reverse fixture, are unavailable for selection. Fabregas also cannot call upon ex-Barcelona star Sergi Roberto. All eyes will be on Como sensation Assane Diao, the youngest scorer of at least five goals in Europe’s top-five leagues this season.

Roma vs Como Potential Starting Line-ups

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Kone, Paredes, Angelino; Dybala, Pellegrini; Shomurodov.

Como (4-3-3): Butez; Smolcic, Kempf, Goldaniga, Valle; Caqueret, Perrone, Da Cunha; Strefezza, Paz, Diao.

Roma vs Como Prediction

It’s hard to disregard Como’s standout showings against Fiorentina and Napoli, not to mention a memorable success in December’s meeting with Roma. However, the hosts should take an all-important three points, though Fabregas’ charges likely won’t go down without a fight.