7M - Serie A Preview: Roma vs Pisa - prediction, team news, lineups

Roma host bottom-placed Pisa at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday evening, with the Giallorossi desperate to reignite their top-four ambitions while their visitors fight to avoid immediate relegation back to Serie B.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side enter the fixture on the back of three defeats in their last four Serie A outings, most recently suffering a heavy 5-0 loss to Inter Milan at San Siro. That result saw Roma concede three goals in a 12-minute second-half spell, exposing defensive frailties that have seen them ship 12 goals since early March—the same number conceded across the previous four months.

Currently sixth in the standings, Roma sit four points adrift of fourth-placed Como with seven matches remaining. With Juventus occupying fifth and Atalanta just one point behind in seventh, any further slip-ups could end their Champions League hopes. Having been eliminated from the Europa League by Bologna, securing European football for next season now hinges on league performance.

Despite recent struggles, Roma remain strong at home, having won 10 of 15 Serie A fixtures at the Stadio Olimpico this term. Their last league defeat on home soil came in December, and a victory against Pisa is essential before a challenging run-in featuring clashes with Atalanta, Fiorentina, Bologna and Lazio.

Pisa, meanwhile, occupy the foot of the table on 18 points, nine from safety with seven games left. Last season's Serie B runners-up have managed just two wins all campaign, and a mid-season managerial change has failed to spark a turnaround. New boss Oscar Hiljemark, appointed in February, has secured only one victory from eight matches in charge.

The Nerazzurri's attacking woes are stark: they have failed to score in five of their last seven outings and remain the only team not to register an away goal since Hiljemark's arrival. Pisa also carry a 15-match winless streak on the road into this fixture, making an upset in Rome highly unlikely.

Team News

Roma may rotate after their heavy defeat to Inter, with Gianluca Mancini ruled out due to an adductor injury. The defensive absence list is compounded by the unavailability of forwards Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson. However, midfielder Manu Kone and wing-back Wesley are nearing returns.

Lorenzo Pellegrini, who scored a late consolation against Inter, needs one more goal to reach 50 Serie A strikes and could achieve the milestone on his 300th top-flight appearance. Donyell Malen, Roma's most in-form attacker with seven league goals since joining in January, is unlikely to be rested given the squad's limited options.

Pisa continue to miss Daniel Denoon, Marius Marin and Isak Vural through injury, though veteran winger Juan Cuadrado returned to the bench last weekend. Rafiu Durosinmi is available again after serving a two-match ban, potentially challenging Henrik Meister for a starting role. Six-goal Stefano Moreo remains Pisa's primary attacking threat, while Matteo Tramoni has contributed to three goals across his last four away fixtures.

Predicted Lineups

Roma: Svilar; Ghilardi, Ndicka, Hermoso; Celik, Cristante, Pisilli, Tsimikas; Soule, Pellegrini; Malen

Pisa: Semper; Calabresi, Caracciolo, Canestrelli; Leris, Hojolt, Akinsanmiro, Aebischer, Angori; Tramoni; Durosinmi

Prediction: Roma 2-0 Pisa

Roma's recent defensive lapses are concerning, but facing the league's weakest attack at home provides an ideal opportunity to restore confidence. Pisa's inability to score on the road and their overall fragility suggest they will struggle to trouble the Giallorossi. Expect Roma to control proceedings and secure a comfortable victory to keep their European hopes alive.