Genoa have been a disappointment for much of the season as in what was expected to be a campaign that would end triumphantly with European honours, the Grifoni have struggled to maintain even mid-table respectability and currently find themselves 11th in the table with 32 points from 25 matches.
However, on Wednesday evening Davide Ballardini's side accomplished a morale-boosting 1-0 win against Sampdoria in the Derby della Lanterna and that could provide them with the launchpad for the remainder of the season. With nine points separating them from a European slot at the moment, a place in next season's Europa League appears to be out of reach but they can still give a better account of themselves between now and the end of the season.
Genoa will be looking to exact revenge against Roma as they lost 2-1 to the Lupi in the reverse fixture in October.
Finding Their Feet Again
Roma have struggled in the new year and have fallen off the pedestal almost radically. From looking genuinely good for a top-four finish, Claudio Ranieri's side now find themselves outside the top-six, two points off a Europa League slot and four further adrift of a place in next season's Champions League.
On Wednesday evening the Giallorossi's season became even worse as they slumped to a 3-2 defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk in their first-leg, round of 16 tie in the Champion League in Rome. The loss has virtually guaranteed the former Italian champions' elimination from Europe's premier club competition this season.
Roma have also struggled in Serie A in recent weeks, losing to Napoli at home last weekend and getting hammered 5-3 by Inter in Milan the weekend before. They are on a slide and the suspicion is that they will continue to spiral down in Genoa.
TEAM NEWS
Genoa
Boselli, Destro and Konko are out injured for the Grifoni.
Roma
Pizarro and Adriano are unavailable because of injuries, and Rosi, De Rossi and Cassetti are suspended.
Prediction
Genoa won the derby against Sampdoria in midweek and will head into this game with confidence. Roma haven't looked particularly formidable in 2011 and the Grifoni will eye a win. However, a draw could be the final result.
Genoa 2-2 Roma 
