Still unbeaten in Serie A this year, resurgent Roma will host much-improved Como on Sunday evening, when the clubs clash at Stadio Olimpico.
The Giallorossi have gone 10 league games without defeat and recently progressed to the Europa League's last 16, while their visitors inched further away from danger by beating title contenders last week.
Match preview
© Imago
Not only have Roma earned the most points in 2025 - 20 so far - but they also possess Serie A's last unbeaten record this calendar year, as Claudio Ranieri's return continues to work wonders.
Six wins and two draws since the start of January have taken them back into the mix for European qualification - albeit they still trail sixth-placed Fiorentina by five points.
Last time out, Ranieri's men thumped rock-bottom Monza 4-0, with in-form winger Alexis Saelemaekers sparking a comprehensive home win by scoring after just 10 minutes.
As a result, Roma have won their last three league matches without conceding, and they could now post four Serie A successes in a row for the first time since 2020; the last time they kept four straight clean sheets was almost seven years ago.
Having previously defeated Porto to set up a Europa League tie with Athletic Bilbao - the first leg of which will take place next week - there is plenty to play for between now and the end of what was once a calamitous campaign.
During their dismal run late last year, the Giallorossi were beaten 2-0 in Como; so they will be keen to avoid losing both Serie A matches against promoted opponents for the first time since 1996, when Atalanta BC did the double.
© Imago
Spending most of their history flitting around Italy's lower leagues, Como have won only one top-flight away game against Roma in 12 attempts - the first, back in April 1950.
This time, the Lombardy club are bound for Stadio Olimpico having toppled Scudetto hopefuls Napoli, taking them closer to securing survival.
The Lariani returned to Serie A full of ambition last summer, and after taking some time to adapt, they are now inching towards mid-table - seven points now separate them from the drop zone.
Aided by an early own goal, they went on to slay Napoli 2-1 at Stadio Sinigaglia, as 19-year-old winter signing Assane Diao raced clear to score for a third straight game.
Only two players aged under 20 have found the net in four consecutive Serie A matches this century - Alexandre Pato and Moise Kean - but the Spanish forward can join that exclusive club this weekend.
On Sunday, Como could also record three consecutive top-tier wins for the first time in 72 years; and, given the sparkling form of Diao and Real Madrid-owned star Nico Paz, they are sure to test Roma's new-found resilience.
Team News
© Imago
Roma will welcome back top scorer Artem Dovbyk, who has been struggling with a thigh strain, but Eldor Shomurodov is still set to start up front.
The Uzbek striker could be supported by a recalled Paulo Dybala - who was rested against Monza - and Alexis Saelemaekers is likely to feature on the hosts' right wing.
The latter has scored five times in Serie A this season - already his personal best - and tallied five goal involvements in seven appearances since the end of 2024.
Meanwhile, Assane Diao (six - five for Como and one with Real Betis) is the youngest player to net five or more goals in Europe's top five leagues this term; fourth-youngest on that list is Nico Paz.
They should join forces with Gabriel Strefezza in the Lariani's front line, consigning Patrick Cutrone to the bench, where he would join Dele Alli, who could make a competitive appearance in two years.
Como coach Cesc Fabregas is still missing experienced midfielder Sergi Roberto with a calf problem, while Alessandro Gabrielloni, Ignace Van der Brempt and Alberto Dossena are all doubts.
Roma possible starting lineup:
Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Kone, Paredes, Angelino; Dybala, Pellegrini; Shomurodov
Como possible starting lineup:
Butez; Smolcic, Kempf, Goldaniga, Valle; Caqueret, Perrone, Da Cunha; Strefezza, Paz, Diao
We say: Roma 2-1 Como
In the third of four straight home fixtures, Roma can edge out their ambitious visitors, who have invested heavily and now pose a threat to any Serie A side.
The hosts have both found some rhythm up front and conceded the fewest goals this year, so grand master Ranieri should defeat relative rookie Fabregas.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
