Roma vs Sampdoria: Preview, Odds, Predictions (April 2)

Initial Thoughts

Roma hunt the Champions League places while Sampdoria fight to stay in the league. This one has ‘upset’ written all over it….

The Narrative

Is the ‘Special One’ still really that special? Hmmmm, hard to say. The answer is most likely yes and no if you ask a Roma fan these days.

Sure, Jose Mourinho led Roma to their first ever piece of European silverware last season, and that was always going to grab the headlines.

But the silverware in question was the inaugural Europa Conference League trophy which - let's face it - isn't that much to write home about on the global footballing stage.

In the current campaign Roma have struggled to cement a place in Serie A’s coveted Champions League places, and the Giallorossi currently sit one point behind Milan in 5th place.

In fact, 2023 hasn't been much fun at all in the Italian capital. Mourinho’s team have failed to secure back to back wins more than once since the start of the year, and they suffered defeat in three of their last four league games before the international break.

The last of those was a dramatic 4-3 loss to 11th place Sassoulo, who went 2-0 up inside the first 20 minutes courtesy of some slap-stick Roma defending and went on to secure a first ever away at the Stadio Olympico.

Finding the net has been a problem too, with Mourinho’s side failing to score more than a single goal in five of their last six outings. 

Tammy Abraham scored 27 times in all competitions last season but has managed only six in 27 league games this time around. The ex-Chelsea striker also hasn’t got his name on the scoresheet since early February and is already being linked with a move away from the club in the summer.

One plus has been Paulo Dybala’s arrival from Juventus. The Argentine ace is Roma’s top scorer so far this season with 12 goals and 7 assists. But overall you’d hardly describe this team as ‘special’, and it can’t help but raise the question as to whether Mourinho is now a spent force at the highest level.

Nuts & Bolts

Heading into Sunday’s game against Sampdoria, Roma badly need a win to keep their top four hopes alive, but could Mourniho’s side slip up against a team fighting to stay in the division? 

Sampdoria are second from bottom and nine points from safety, having suffered 18 losses and racking up only three wins all season. But Dejan Stanković’s side have discovered a glimmer of home in recent matches.

Sampdoria come into Sunday’s game having secured a morale-boosting 3-1 victory against 18th placed Verona just before the international break.

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The win closed the gap between the two sides to just four points, and a 0-0 draw at home to Salernitana at the start of March means Sampdoria have amassed 4 points from their last three matches.

Teams struggling to qualify for the Champions League places often slip against those fighting to stay in the division. So could Roma be in for another humbling upset at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow?

Homestand Picks

All odds courtesy of Northstar Bets

Sampdoria or Tie (+170)

Roma are on a two game losing streak and we think they could struggle against a Sampdoria side who are coming off a potentially season-changing victory in their last game.

Red Card given (+255)

Roma’s last five matches have seen an incredible five red cards issued, and this one could get ugly if the visitors go ahead in Rome.

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