Tuesday’s Serie A action kicks off with a lopsided contest between whipping boys Cremonese and top-four hopefuls Roma. A midweek fixture at the Stadio Giovanni Zini has all the makings of a one-sided affair, especially given the home side’s woeful league campaign.
Not even the appointment of proven strategist Davide Ballardini in January has been enough to put the brakes on Cremonese’s thoroughly abysmal Serie A season. Last Monday’s action-packed 2-2 draw at Torino saw La Cremo equal the longest winless streak in Serie A history. Bringing their most recent top-flight campaign into the equation, they’ve not won any of their last 30 league matches.
Yet to pick up a single win in the 2022/23 Serie A season (D9, L14), Cremonese can already start packing their bags for relegation to Serie B as they enter this round ten points adrift of safety. Since the calendar year flipped to 2023, Ballardini’s men have picked up a league-low two points from eight Serie A outings, with only Valencia and TSG Hoffenheim earning fewer in Europe’s top-flight leagues in that period.
And while their hosts cannot catch a break, Roma steamrolled into the Europa League round of 16 despite going down 1-0 at RB Salzburg in the first leg of their knockout playoff tie. Even without Tammy Abraham, Jose Mourinho’s team thumped the perennial Austrian champions 2-0 in the return fixture at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday night.
Andrea Belotti and Paulo Dybala were on the scoresheet before halftime to help Roma set up an exciting last-16 tie against La Liga top-four-bidding Real Sociedad. Back to domestic proceedings following successful continental duties, the Giallorossi are aiming to maintain a decent three-game unbeaten run in Serie A (W2, D1) and keep hold of a coveted third place.
Preview
Cremonese
The abovementioned draw in Turin was only the fifth time in 23 Serie A matches this season to see Cremonese score multiple goals, a feat they’ve only achieved once in 11 home outings to date. Indeed, a lack of firepower has witnessed La Cremo net a measly five goals on home turf in 2022/23 at an average of 0.45 per game.
With that in mind, it comes as no surprise Ballardini’s men have lost all seven home league fixtures after conceding the opening goal this term. On the upside, Cremonese stunned the odds earlier in February when they claimed a 2-1 Coppa Italia win at Roma, suggesting their most esteemed visitors cannot take anything for granted.
Player to Watch: Cyriel Dessers
Much of Cremonese’s scoring hopes will rely on Cyriel Dessers. The Nigerian striker has played his part in three of his side’s five Serie A goals at Giovanni Zini this season, racking up two goals and one assist.
Roma
Despite starting this round in third, Roma cannot rest on their laurels, with fifth-placed Lazio hot on their heels, sitting only two points adrift. In order to solidify his team’s top-four bid, Mourinho must address the Giallorossi’s form woes outside the Olimpico, as they’ve managed just one win on their last five league travels (D3, L1).
Given Cremonese’s scoring woes, one goal may do the trick, as was the case in the reverse fixture. Indeed, Mourinho has led Roma to 11 identical 1-0 victories in Serie A since the start of last season, with only two sides in Europe’s five big leagues beating that tally during that stretch. But after going winless on their two most recent Serie A road trips (D1, L1), the visitors will have to roll up their sleeves.
Player to Watch: Tammy Abraham
After missing out on Roma’s Europa League triumph over Salzburg, Abraham will return to the fold on Tuesday. The English striker has failed to score in his last six league appearances against newly-promoted sides, so motivation shouldn’t be lacking.
Team News
Except for veteran defender Vlad Chirches, Cremonese will have the rest of their squad fit and ready for Tuesday’s clash.
Though Roma didn’t pick up any new injury concerns against Salzburg, Mourinho won’t be able to call upon Chris Smalling’s services after the Englishman accumulated yellow cards in last weekend’s 1-0 home win over Hellas Verona.
Cremonese vs Roma Potential Lineups
Cremonese (3-5-2): Marco Carnesecchi; Alex Ferrari, Matteo Bianchetti, Johan Vasquez; Leonardo Sernicola, Marco Benassi, Charles Pickel, Soualiho Meite, Emanuele Valeri; Cyriel Dessers, David Okereke.
Roma (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Gianluca Mancini, Marash Kumbulla, Roger Ibanez; Rick Karsdorp, Georginio Wijnaldum, Bryan Cristante, Nicola Zalewski; Lorenzo Pellegrini, Stephan El Shaarawy; Tammy Abraham.
Cremonese vs Roma Prediction
For a team battling it out for Champions League placings, this should be ‘another day in the office.’ We back Roma to end their dismal away form.
Prediction: Roma Win
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