Roma vs Spezia predictions: Mourinho's men to respond to Europa League heartache

Aaron Ashley
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Leonardo Semplici is looking to guide Spezia to Serie A survival on the final day
Leonardo Semplici is looking to guide Spezia to Serie A survival on the final day

- Roma have won 10 of 18 home league games, keeping clean sheets in nine of those wins
- Spezia have failed to win any of their last nine away league matches
- Recommended bet: Roma to win to zero

Roma have not had much time to recover from their Europa League final loss to Sevilla in Budapest on Wednesday and that may provide Spezia with some belief in their pursuit of Serie A survival.

Despite taking a first-half lead, Jose Mourinho's side were pegged back and beaten in a dramatic penalty shootout by the La Liga outfit, a result which left the Roma manager and their supporters seething with the decisions of referee Anthony Taylor.

But Roma go into this campaign closer with a fifth place position still within reach, so there is an incentive for victory, but they are not as desperate for the points as relegation-threatened Spezia.

The visitors go into the final day fourth from bottom, but they are level on points with Hellas Verona, who face a tricky trip to AC Milan.

Team news

Mourinho will be dealing with some very tired players after Wednesday's showdown with Sevilla, so the Portuguese manager may be preparing to make some tactical tweaks.

The Wolves do remain without injured duo Rick Karsdorp and Marash Kumbulla, though.

Leonardo Semplici has no fresh injury concerns, but Spezia must still manage without sidelined quartet Joao Moutinho, Petar Zovko, Emil Holm and Julius Beck.

The stats

Roma have only themselves to blame for missing out on a top-four finish in Serie A as they find themselves without a league win in seven.

The Wolves have drawn four of those seven matches, but they have been pretty reliable at the Stadio Olimpico, where they have won seven of their last 11 Serie A fixtures.

They will also be buoyed by the fact they have won four of their last five rivalries with Spezia, who have struggled on their travels this term.

Jose Mourinho will hope to get Roma back on track after European disappointment.
Jose Mourinho will hope to get Roma back on track after European disappointment.

Semplici's side have won only two of their 18 away league games this term, losing on 11 occasions and have scored just 12 goals in that period.

Roma have won their last three meetings with Spezia to nil and nine of their ten home league wins this term have been recorded with a clean sheet.

Prediction

Given Roma's tough recent schedule and Spezia's need for a positive result, this may be a cagey final-day encounter rather than a free-scoring humdinger.

Both teams have scored in only five of Roma's 18 home league games this season, while the net has bulged for Spezia in only one of their last six.

So goals may be in short supply, but Roma, who will be desperate to finish the season on a high and who can still grab fifth, look the most likely victors.

Spezia have collected only 11 points from 18 away league trips, going winless in nine and losing three of those fixtures to nil.

Moruinho's side have been very efficient in the Italian capital this term, winning 10 of their 18 home outings, with nine of those victories coming with a clean sheet.

Tags

RomaSpeziaSerie A