Roma travel to Hellas Verona on Sunday afternoon aware that three points are imperative if they are to maintain a realistic Serie A title challenge.
Rudi Garcia's team have put together an undefeated streak of 13 league games, but seven of those have ended in draws, including the stalemate against Parma last weekend.
Failing to score at home against the bottom-placed side in the league would have been deemed unacceptable behind the scenes, but it only highlights issues with an attack that haven't scored more than two goals in a league match since November.
Garcia's starting lineup is likely to be dependent on his team's recovery from their Europa League tie with Feyenoord on Thursday, but Ashley Cole could feature after starting in the league last week.
Verona currently sit four points above the relegation zone in Serie A, but they need to bring to a halt an alarming run of form that has seen them concede 14 goals in five games.
The Gialloblu's only points during that period came during a 1-0 win over Atalanta, but despite that result keeping them above their rivals, it hasn't been enough to improve the mood at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi.
Frederik Sorensen could come into the side for Vangelis Moras, while Javier Saviola is in contention for just a fifth league start of the season alongside 37-year-old Luca Toni, who has netted three goals in his last two appearances.
Hellas Verona:
Form in Serie A: WLWLLL
Form in all competitions: LLWLLL
Possible starting lineup: Benussi, Agostini, Rafael Marques, Pisano, Moras, Hallfredsson, Christodoulopoulos, Greco, Tachtsidis, Toni, Gomez Talbe
Roma:
Form in Serie A: DDDDWD
Form in all competitions: DDLWDD
Possible starting lineup: De Sanctis, Cole, Yanga-Mbiwa, Manolas, De Rossi, Keita, Nainggolan, Florenzi, Doumbia, Gervinho, Ljajic
Sports Mole says: 1-2
Darren Plant
