Opta's algorithm ranks Roma second favourites for Serie A title with one-in-five chance

Roma host Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 7 November, with kick-off at 20:45, in the eleventh round of Serie A. Gian Piero Gasperini's side arrive after a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United in the Champions League, a result that followed a first half in which Roma dominated and led by two goals. In the league, however, their form is excellent: they have 24 points from ten matchdays and sit third, after a convincing 5-2 win at Udinese in their last outing. Sassuolo, by contrast, are 17th on 8 points and have lost four consecutive matches. It will also be Alberto Aquilani's first game at the Olimpico as an opposing coach. Roma are without Mile Svilar, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Paulo Dybala and Devyne Rensch. Pierluigi Gollini has not fully recovered from a back problem, so Devis Vásquez is expected to start in goal. Manu Koné is doubtful and is unlikely to start. Daniele Ghilardi is pushing Gianluca Mancini for a place in defence, while Bryan Cristante and Niccolò Pisilli are expected in midfield. Nahuel Molina and Wesley are favoured on the flanks, and Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora are set to operate behind Donyell Malen. Aquilani has announced that Domenico Berardi and Volpato are absent, while the rest of the squad is available. He is expected to set out in a 4-3-3 with Turati in goal, Walukiewicz, Caleta-Car, Idzes and Doig in defence, and Thorstvedt back in midfield alongside Matic and Bakola. Up front, with Berardi out, Dominguez, Sebastiano Esposito and Laurienté are likely to start. Marco Di Bello of Brindisi referees, assisted by Peretti and Scatragli, with Abisso as fourth official, Pezzuto on VAR and Guida as AVAR. The match will be broadcast live on both DAZN and Sky. On Sky it can be watched on Sky Sport Uno, Sky Sport Calcio, Sky Sport 251 and Sky Sport 4K, while streaming is available on DAZN, Sky Go and NOW. Riccardo Gentile will provide the Sky commentary, with technical analysis from Alessio Scarchilli. Bookmakers make Roma clear favourites, with a win priced on average between 1.28 and 1.32, a draw around 6.00-6.50 and a Sassuolo win between 9.00 and 9.75. Over 2.5 goals is priced at around 1.35-1.37. Sassuolo have conceded at least two goals in each of their last four defeats, and Roma scored five in their last league game. The 2-0 scoreline to Roma is the most widely projected correct score, ahead of 2-1 and 3-0.

Roma can go to sleep level on points with Lazio and one behind Inter, and host Sassuolo at the Olimpico today at 20.45 in the last round before the international break. Gian Piero Gasperini has the chance to close the gap further at the top of the table. The most urgent question concerns the goalkeeper: Pierluigi Gollini has not fully recovered from the back problem that kept him out before the Manchester game, and his availability remains in doubt. If he is ruled out, Devis Vásquez will again start in goal. Mile Svilar will not return until after the break. In defence, Gasperini must decide how to share out the workload. Daniele Ghilardi is pushing for a place in the starting line-up and could give Gianluca Mancini a rest. On the right, the battle is open between Nahuel Molina and Emanuele Lulli. Evan N'Dicka and Mario Hermoso remain the first choices in the back line, with Leonardo Balerdi as another option to change at least one player. In midfield, Bryan Cristante and Marten de Roon are the most likely pairing. Up front, Donyell Malen will lead the attack, supported by Matías Soulé and Rodrigo Mora. Manu Koné is still out. He was not called up for Sassuolo and has also been left out of Zidane's France squad. Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini are also unavailable. Dybala is aiming to return against Parma after the break, while Pellegrini will not be back until January. The report, written by Marco Juric for La Repubblica, places the emphasis on the goalkeeper and defensive selection as Gasperini prepares his side for the Sassuolo clash.

Roma head into the international break looking to close out the run with a win over Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico, with Gian Piero Gasperini's side aiming for their 31st victory under the coach and a result that would wipe out the defeat at Old Trafford. The Olimpico is set to be full once again, and Roma go into the match with the aim of winning, keeping their home record intact and taking advantage of a Serie A matchday that promises plenty in the top half of the table. According to Corriere dello Sport, Gasperini's Roma have changed their rhythm, mentality and ambitions, and have become a solid side that scores plenty and concedes little. Roma are still unbeaten in Serie A, a record they share only with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, and are chasing an 18th consecutive useful result. The Olimpico has become a fortress, unbeaten in Serie A since late November last year. Roma's attack is the best in the league with 28 goals scored, and they face the worst defence in the division, that of a Sassuolo side in serious difficulty. Other matchday fixtures include Napoli-Lazio and Inter-Como, which Roma could use to gain ground and put pressure on their rivals. The gap between the two sides is clear, but Roma must prove it on the pitch with intensity, aggression and the hunger of a side that wants to keep dreaming. Roma have already collected 30 wins in the Gasperini era, and a victory tonight would bring them to 31 and leave them in a better league position going into the break.