Roma could secure their place in next season's Champions League by claiming three points against Udinese at the Stadio Olimpico this weekend.
The Giallorossi are in pole position to seal a top-three finish, while their opponents are in poor form, having won just two of their last 10 matches.
Roma
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Roma had looked back on track following recent wins over Sassuolo and Genoa, but a 2-1 defeat against AC Milan last weekend saw their defensive frailties this season exposed once again.
It was the second time in four games that they had lost at San Siro, following last month's reverse against Inter Milan, and to make things worse it was Mattia Destro who scored the winning goal against his parent club.
They seem unable to put together a consistent run of form and since the beginning of January they have only managed to claim six wins in the league.
Such a disastrous run has almost cost them in their attempts to qualify for the Champions League, but they are currently second in the Serie A table and have been helped out by Lazio and Napoli's recent setbacks.
They are due to face Lazio next weekend and a victory for them in that match could help them to secure second place, which will see them enter the group stages of the Champions League.
A real problem for them has been their home form, but in recent weeks it seems to have improved and their 2-0 victory over Genoa at the start of May was their second win at the Stadio Olimpico in three unbeaten games.
Recent form: DDLWWL
Udinese
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Roma may have been inconsistent this season, but they are nowhere near matching the unpredictability of Udinese, who have flattered to deceive once again in Serie A.
The Bianconeri actually had an impressive start to the season and they were as high as third place by the end of September, after winning four of their opening five games.
That proved to be as good as it would get for Andrea Stramaccioni's side, as they quickly slid down the table and saw their hopes of qualifying for Europe diminish week by week.
A run of just four wins from their past 20 games has consigned them to a second season finishing in the bottom half of the table and Stramaccioni's position at the club is far from secure.
One of the rare bright sparks to their season has been the form of captain Antonio Di Natale, who has scored 14 league goals in what may be his final year at the club.
Recent form: LDWLWL
Team News
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Alessandro Florenzi is suspended for Roma, so Vasileios Torosidis is expected to take his place at right-back, with Jose Holebas starting down the left flank.
Seydou Doumbia has started the previous three games, but captain Francesco Totti may be brought back into the side after his goal last weekend.
Meanwhile, Di Natale should lead the line for Udinese and he could be joined by Cyril Thereau, who came off the bench in the club's 4-1 defeat against Sampdoria last weekend.
There are doubts over the fitness of Molla Wague and Gabriel Silva, but both players are expected to be part of the squad.
Roma possible starting lineup:
De Sanctis, Torosidis, Manolas, Astori, Holebas, Keita, De Rossi, Nainggolan, Iturbe, Gervinho, Totti
Udinese possible starting lineup:
Karnezis, Widmer, Danilo, Domizzi, Piris, Allan, Pinzi, Badu, Kone, Thereau, Di Natale
Head To Head
There was controversy in this season's reverse fixture, as Roma claimed a 1-0 win thanks to a header from Davide Astori that did not appear to cross the whole of the line.
That result extended Roma's winning run over Udinese to three games and was their 13th victory in the past 20 meetings between the teams.
In those 20 matches there has also been plenty of bad blood, with 12 red cards handed out, so it could be another feisty affair in Rome this weekend.
We say: Roma 1-0 Udinese
Despite Roma's inconsistent form, they will be desperate to pick up the three points that could secure their place in next season's Champions League. They should have enough quality to beat an unpredictable Udinese side and we are backing them to secure a narrow win.
Alex Meyers
