Preview: Cagliari Calcio vs. Roma

Roma coach Rudi Garcia will be aware that three points are imperative when his team travel to Cagliari Calcio on Sunday afternoon.

The Giallorossi have endured a disappointing week, with last weekend's draw at home to Empoli being followed by defeat in the Coppa Italia to Fiorentina.

The club are unbeaten in their last 11 league games, but after just two wins in eight, they have fallen seven points adrift of league leaders Juventus.

Garcia is expected to select Davide Astori in place of Kostas Manolas, who is suspended for the trip to Stadio Sant'Elia.

Cagliari go into the game having suffered their first defeat in four games under newly-appointed boss Gianfranco Zola.

The 2-1 setback to Atalanta has allowed last week's opponents to move clear of Cagliari in the battle to avoid relegation, but Zola will be relatively content with his team's form heading into the game with Serie A's second-placed outfit.

Diego Farias and Luca Ceppitelli are both in contention for a starting role if Zola decides to make alterations to his starting lineup.

Cagliari Calcio:

Form in Serie A: LLWDWL Form in all competitions: LWLDWL

Possible starting lineup: Brkic, Gonzalez, Benedetti, Danilo Avelar, Capuano, Donsah, Dessena, Crisetig , Farias, Sau, Longo

Roma:

Form in Serie A: DWDDDD Form in all competitions: DDWDDL

Possible starting lineup: De Sanctis, Maicon, Astori, Yanga-Mbiwa, Holebas, Keita, Nainggolan, Pjanic, Totti, Ljajic, Iturbe

Sports Mole says: 1-2