Roma face up to life without Nicolò Zaniolo, as Stephan El Shaarawy starts with Paulo Dybala and Tammy Abraham, while Spezia miss hitman M’Bala Nzola.

It kicks off at the Stadio Alberto Picco at 17.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Juventus-Atalanta on the LIVEBLOG.

Serie A Liveblog: Spezia-Roma and Juventus-Atalanta

The Giallorossi are in turmoil after Zaniolo reportedly asked to be left out of the squad, as he has put in a transfer request.

Captain Lorenzo Pellegrini is not fully fit, so El Shaarawy steps in to support Dybala and Abraham, bringing Nemanja Matic into midfield, while Roger Ibanez returns from suspension.

Spezia were beaten 5-2 by Atalanta midweek in the Coppa Italia, but in Serie A are without defeat in five, so in a good run of form.

They lost star striker Nzola to a calf strain, joining Simone Bastoni, Jeroen Zoet and suspended Dimitrios Nikolaou in the stands.

Coach Luca Gotti has new signing Szymon Zurkowski, who just arrived from Fiorentina this week, on the bench, while Jakub Kiwior was sold to Arsenal.

Spezia have never beaten Roma in Serie A, managing one point from four meetings, but did twice knock them out of the Coppa Italia on penalties.

Spezia: Dragowski; Amian, Caldara, Hristov; Holm, Bourabia, Ampadu, Agudelo, Reca; Gyasi, Verde

Roma: Rui Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez, Celik; Cristante, Matic, Zalewski; Dybala, El Shaarawy; Abraham

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