There is midweek Serie A action for Roma on Wednesday when they visit Bologna.
After three wins and three clean sheets in a row, the momentum favours Roma as they aim to keep building their confidence.
Bologna – coached by ex-Roma player and Jose Mourinho’s friend Sinisa Mihajlovic – aren’t having a bad season themselves though and are in the top half, so will be a tough opponent.
Roma will be without Lorenzo Pellegrini until the New Year due to injury, so must find a way to cope without their captain. Mourinho has hinted that Carles Perez may adjust his role to help cover.
Fortunately, Jordan Veretout is back from suspension and in line to make his 100th appearance for the club. Next to him, Amadou Diawara could keep his place against his former side, but Bryan Cristante is also available for selection again after testing negative for Covid-19 Whether he is ready to start yet is another question.
Gonzalo Villar is still in doubt due to the virus, though, while forward Felix Afena-Gyan cannot participate due to his own positive test.
Mourinho also confirmed Chris Smalling would start again in defence if he feels fine after a performance that was deemed worthy of man of the match in the most recent win against Torino.
The last meeting between Roma and Bologna was a 1-0 win at Stadio Olimpico, when Borja Mayoral scored. Now he is no longer a key player and is out anyway, so Mourinho will be looking for someone else to be the protagonist this time. In-form main striker Tammy Abraham will be aiming to score for the third game in a row, for example.
Roma will be hoping the game can be as entertaining as their last visit to the Renato Dall’Ara, when they scored five goals in the first half. But Mourinho recently said he prefers wins where the team digs in, so as long as he brings three points back, the way in which they are achieved will not matter.
The game kicks off at 5:30pm UK time and will be live on BT Sport 1.
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