Preview: Roma vs. Cagliari

Roma's 100% winning start to the Serie A season may have ended earlier this month, but they are still unbeaten from their opening 12 encounters.

On Monday, Rudi Garcia's league leaders will play host to Cagliari, who are currently 13th in the standings. Although they won last time out against Torino, the visitors had gone into that encounter having lost their three previous matches.

The hosts will be without their veteran captain Francesco Totti because of a hamstring injury. Recent reports have suggested that the striker will not return to action until the middle of December.

Centre-forward Marco Borriello is also likely to face a late fitness test, but full-back Federico Balzaretti is expected to feature despite a recent muscular complaint.

Meanwhile, reported Southampton transfer target Davide Astori should start in defence for Cagliari.

Recent form

Roma: WWWWDD

Cagliari: LWLLLW

Possible starting lineups

Roma: De Sanctis; Burdisso, Maicon, Balzaretti, Castan; De Rossi, Pjanic, Strootman, Florenzi, Ljajic; Borriello

Cagliari: Avramov; Pisano, Rossettini, Astori, Murru; Conti, Dessena, Nainggolan, Eriksson; Sau, Ibarbo

Sports Mole says: 2-0