Preview: Rudi Garcia's men look to widen the gap between them and third-placed Napoli
14 points currently separate league leaders Juventus from Roma, although the Giallorossi still hold a game in hand. However, coach Rudi Garcia has already admitted that his side are out of the title race and that Champions League football is their ultimate goal.
"Second place is not locked up yet, so we have to keep focused. Right now we have 64 points and I would like that to improve to 67 [after the Torino match]. But I think our sole realistic goal should be to retain that second-placed spot come end of this season."
Of course, the difference between second and third is vital in Serie A, as the top two automatically book their place in the Champions League group stages whereas the third-placed team has to go through the potentially tricky play-off rounds.
In terms of personnel, the Giallorossi have nearly most of their first-choice players available, except for long-term injured duo Kevin Strootman and Frederico Balzaretti, and defender Mehdi Benatia who is suspened but one positive note is Daniele De Rossi returning from his three-match ban. Veteran attacker Francesco Totti will be expected to provide the side's creativity along side Mattia Destro, Gervinho, and Miralem Pjanic.
As for Torino, they were at one point were looking like a contender for a Europa League spot but a string of poor results--having lost four out of their last five games--see them slip way off the pace into 10th place. Nonetheless, Roma will still have to be on their toes. The Granata boast one of the strongest strike forces in Ciro Immobile and Alessio Cerci, the latter of whom scored the equalizing goal when these two sides met back on 3 November.
Like the Giallorossi, Granata boss Giampiero Ventura pretty much has a full squad available to him, with Immobile and Cerci, who seems to have recovered from injury the ones to lead the attack. The only absence of note will be Albanian defender Migjen Basha.
With just six points between them and a determined Napoli--the only other side besides Juventus to defeat the capital club this season--the hosts will be keen on making strides towards securing that automatic Champions League spot for the 2014-2015 campaign.
But will Torino be able to put up much of a fight? Or will Roma successfully claim all three points against them this time around? Tune in to find out!
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores
In Canada at 15.45 ET on: beIN Sports Play Canada, RAI International
In the US at 15.45 EST on: RAI International, beIN Sports Play, beIN Sports USA
In Italy at 20.45 CET on: Sky Calcio 1, Premium Calcio, Sky Sport 1 HD Italia
For live scores and more live listings of the the game, visit the Roma vs. Torino match page.
