Roma's 1-0 win against Inter in Rome in late September came as a massive boost for the Lupi as it finally appeared that their season was back on track. A win against Cluj in the Champions League in their next match reinforced the positive beliefs but things turned ugly when they went down 2-0 to Napoli in Naples just before the international break.
At the moment Claudio Ranieri's side are second from bottom in the league table with five points from six matches and are already eight points off the place. There have also been reported friction between Ranieri and club talisman Francesco Totti, although the latter has done his best to bury it into the sands.
Genoa will be a tough test for the Lupi and given that they are playing at home, they will have the extra pressure of pleasing the fans. Ranieri should know that his job is on the line and that he will have to repair the damage quickly.
Regaining Momentum
Like many of the contenders for a place in the top four in Serie A this season, Genoa too started the 2010-11 campaign on a disappointing note but the Grifone appear to have picked up momentum. Just before the international break they defeated Bari 2-1 at home, which also happened to be only their second victory of the season.
That win means that at the start of Week Seven in Serie A, Gian Piero Gasperini's side are 10th in the league standings with eight points from six matches, five points behind league leaders Lazio and just three behind fourth-placed Milan.
Genoa's away form in Serie A, though, is modest as of the three games they have played on their travels, they have won just one, collecting just a point from the other two.
TEAM NEWS
Roma
Julio Sergio and Adriano are out with injuries. Ranieri is likely to field a 4-3-1-2 system that will see Totti and Borriello in attack with Perrotta just behind them in the ‘hole’. Vucinic looks set to start on the bench.
Genoa
Jankovic and Veloso are out injured and Moretti is suspended. A 3-4-3 formation looks the likely system that will be deployed with Luca Toni once again the main striker in attack.
Prediction
Genoa will make it tough for Roma, who are still suffering from lack of confidence. A narrow win for the hosts is on the cards but don’t get surprised if the Grifone eke out a draw.
Roma 2-1 Genoa 
