Sunday’s Serie A action gets underway with a mouth-watering clash between top-four hopefuls Como and early pacesetters Roma. Both teams have high ambitions for the season, though the visitors look far more formidable at the moment.
After a 1-1 draw at Udinese on matchday one, Cesc Fabregas’ men have gone into overdrive, racking up three consecutive league wins despite conceding once on each occasion. However, Como’s lofty aspirations took a first hit before September’s international break, as newcomers Frosinone beat them 2-0 on the road.
Only three points behind their upcoming rivals, Como will be keen to bounce back here and beat Roma in back-to-back Serie A matches for the first time ever, following a 2-1 victory in this corresponding fixture last term. However, that could prove easier said than done, with the Giallorossi set to hit the road in a buoyant mood.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s high-flyers won their opening four Serie A games and seemed to be on the verge of making it five wins in a row against reigning holders Inter last time out. However, Lautaro Martinez’s second-half brace canceled out Manu Kone’s first-half double as Roma had to settle for a gut-wrenching 2-2 draw at the Olimpico.
Despite that setback, they spent the international break as the division’s joint leaders. Needless to say, expectations have soared, with Roma setting their sights on their first Scudetto since the beginning of the 21st century.
Match Preview
Como
Frosinone brought Como’s superb ten-game unbeaten streak in all competitions to a sudden halt, exposing them to the risk of losing consecutive matches without scoring for the first time since December 2025. Nevertheless, Fabregas’ men have posted their best five-game start since earning Serie A promotion three years ago.
An immediate return to winning ways is not out of the realm of possibility for the hosts, who have been virtually unplayable at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. For context, only defending champions Inter have beaten Como in their last nine games on this ground (W6, D2), highlighting the magnitude of the task awaiting Roma tomorrow.
Further confidence stems from the fact that Como have won their last three home meetings with Roma in Serie A, as many victories as in their previous 11 such clashes beforehand. There’s little doubt that a strong start would significantly increase Como’s chances for a win, and keeping a first-half clean sheet in five of their last six home outings bodes well.
Roma
If there’s a team capable of unlocking Como’s stubborn backline, it’s Roma. Only Inter (15) have scored more Serie A goals than the Giallorossi’s 14 this term, though they are the only side to have netted at least two goals in all five matches so far. That’s probably the reason why they’re enjoying their third-best league start.
Few would bet against Roma adding to their haul here, with the visitors bringing a five-game winning away league run into this fixture. Only once in Roma’s history have they enjoyed a longer run of this kind, winning 12 consecutive games between February and November 2017.
It must be music to Gasperini’s ears as the former Atalanta boss could become only the fifth manager to oversee 300 Serie A victories. However, Roma must avoid lapses in concentration in the second half to boost their chances here after conceding their last six goals after halftime.
Team News
Como’s long-term absentee, Jayden Addai, has recently resumed full training, meaning Fabregas will have his entire squad fit and ready for this clash. Tasos Douvikas is likely to get the nod in attack ahead of Moise Kean, looking to end his home drought after his last five goals all came on the road.
As for Roma, Bryan Cristante remains the only doubt after a knee injury forced him out of Italy’s squad. Despite withdrawing from Brazil’s camp, Wesley Franca should be fit to start. All eyes will be on Donyell Malen, who’s leading the scoring charts in Serie A with six goals.
Como vs Roma Potential Starting Lineups
Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Couto, Ramon, Chalobah, Valle; Da Cunha, Milla; Diao, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas.
Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Molina, Kone, De Roon, Wesley; Dybala, Mora; Malen.
Como vs Roma Prediction
Despite Roma’s superior attacking form and impressive away record, Como’s resilience at the Sinigaglia makes this a tricky assignment for Gasperini’s men. We expect a closely fought encounter to end in a share of the spoils.
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