Francesco Totti has shaken off flu to start, but Roma are decimated for this crucial trip to Gianfranco Zola’s Cagliari.
It kicks off at 14.00 GMT, click here for the match preview and here to follow our LIVEBLOG.
There were concerns captain Totti would not be able to play, but he has recovered sufficiently from flu symptoms to take his place in the starting XI.
Francesco Totti has shaken off flu to start, but Roma are decimated for this crucial trip to Gianfranco Zola’s Cagliari.
It kicks off at 14.00 GMT, click here for the match preview and here to follow our LIVEBLOG.
There were concerns captain Totti would not be able to play, but he has recovered sufficiently from flu symptoms to take his place in the starting XI.
He is sorely needed, as Roma have drawn four Serie A games in a row and went out of the Coppa Italia at home to Fiorentina midweek.
Kostas Manolas and Alessandro Florenzi are suspended, while Gervinho and new buy Seydou Doumbia are at the African Cup of Nations, where the Ivory Coast play Ghana in today’s Final.
Victor Ibarbo moved from Cagliari to Roma on deadline day, but picked up a calf injury on his debut and is now out for around six weeks.
Also on the treatment table are Daniele De Rossi, Juan Manuel Iturbe, Kevin Strootman, Leandro Castan and Federico Balzaretti.
That means 38-year-old Totti is partnered by 18-year-old Daniele Verde.
Cagliari have been on sparkling form in recent weeks after Zola took over from ex-Roma Coach Zdenek Zeman.
Marco Sau is another Serie A player suffering from flu symptoms.
It’s a very special game for Daniele Conti, a Roma youth team player and the son of Giallorossi legend Bruno Conti.
New buy Paul-Jose M’Poku is on the bench, while Godfred Donsah is getting a lot of attention in midfield.
Cagliari: Brkic, Gonzalez, Capuano, Rossettini, Avelar, Dessena, Conti, Donsah, Ekdal, Joao Pedro, Cop
Roma: De Sanctis; Torosidis, Yanga-Mbiwa, Astori, Holebas; Pjanic, Keita, Nainggolan; Ljajic, Totti, Verde