Like vs Rome – News and Probable Lineups

On Sunday afternoon, two clubs competing to enter the Scudetto race of Serie A will meet at Stadio Sinigalia, with ambitious Como welcoming an unbeaten Roma.

The team from the capital comes to Lombardy with a perfect away record that has been maintained since early April, while Como encountered a rare setback just before the break.

Match overview

Three weeks after facing their first loss of the season, Como seeks to rebound after their impressive 10-match unbeaten streak faced an unintended halt in their last fixture.

The newly promoted Frosinone stunned Como with a 2-0 victory at Stadio Stirpe, leaving the Lariani with 10 points from five matches, just trailing the leaders in Serie A.

In contrast to last season when they were the tightest team defensively, they have not managed to secure any clean sheets in all competitions so far, a scenario that could worry Cesc Fabregas.

The head coach of Como now faces the challenge of six fixtures between now and November, including Champions League encounters with Feyenoord and Manchester United, as his team registered their first-ever European victory against RB Leipzig last month.

Home advantage might play a significant role as they aim to match Roma on Sunday, having triumphed in five of their last seven league games at Sinigalia.

Additionally, since their promotion to Italy’s top division in 2024, Como has claimed victory in both of their home encounters against the club from the capital.

While Roma recently emerged victorious in two contests at Stadio Olimpico, they are acutely aware of the threats that Como poses.

Both teams surprised everyone by breaking into the top four of Serie A last season to secure Champions League football, and they are equally eager to take on the current champions Inter de Milano for the title.

The squad coached by Gian Piero Gasperini has indeed begun the season well, remaining unbeaten through their first five league matches, in addition to drawing 1-1 with Fenerbahce in Istanbul.

Right before the break, Roma were looking to continue their flawless record after taking a two-goal lead against Inter, thanks to Manu Kone’s goals, but they had to settle for a 2-2 draw in the end.

While disappointing, this result still leaves the Giallorossi atop the table, albeit tied on 13 points with city rivals Lazio and the reigning champions.

Now, Roma will seek their sixth consecutive away win in Serie A, a feat they last accomplished back in 2017.

Gasperini is also on the brink of achieving 300 top-flight victories, as he prepares to test his tactics against one of football’s promising young managers.

Team News

With long-term absentee Jayden Addai back in full training recently, Como’s manager Fabregas will have a complete squad to select from this weekend.

Although Moise Kean missed Italy’s final UEFA Nations League match, he is expected to vie with Tasos Douvikas for a spot up front.

Douvikas has already set a club record for most Serie A goals in a calendar year with 12 goals in 2026; however, all of his last five goals were scored away from home.

Donyell Malen has produced the most remarkable minutes-per-goal rate in Italy’s top tier since making his debut for Roma in January, finding the net once every 91 minutes.

Both Malen and Douvikas scored when these sides faced off at Sinigalia in March, and they are set to go head-to-head once more, as the Dutch striker has bounced back quickly from a minor injury.

In addition, Wesley has returned after a thigh problem kept him out of Brazil duty, and Bryan Cristante could make his comeback from a knee issue that kept him out of Italy’s recent squad.

Como probable starting XI:

Butez; Couto, Ramon, Chalobah, Valle; Da Cunha, Milla; Diao, Paz, Baturina; Douvikas

Roma probable starting XI:

Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Molina, Kone, De Roon, Wesley; Dybala, Mora; Clever

Although both teams have significant Champions League fixtures coming up, they must not lose sight of this clash on Sunday, which could even have ramifications in the title race.

A tightly contested match is expected, as Como and Roma have conceded the fewest goals in Serie A since the beginning of the previous season, while both squads also boast sharp finishing, skill, and variety in attacking play.