Roma v Fiorentina: 1.64 price reflects home advantage in Serie A opener

AS Roma begin their Serie A campaign against Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday, 24 August 2026, with the hosts priced at 1.64 and regarded as favourites to make a winning start. The match kicks off at 18:45 GMT.

Gian Piero Gasperini begins his second season in charge of AS Roma, while Fabio Grosso takes charge of Fiorentina for the first time in a competitive Serie A fixture. The two managers bring contrasting approaches: Gasperini is known for intense pressing and rapid transitions, whereas Grosso is expected to prioritise defensive organisation and the effective use of set-pieces.

Mahamad Sangare, presenter of the sports debate programme La VAR on Burkina info TV, has provided his analysis and prediction for the game.

Roma finished fifth in Serie A last season, narrowly missing out on direct qualification for the Champions League. After several seasons outside the top four, the club are aiming to re-establish themselves among Italy’s leading sides and secure a return to Europe’s premier club competition.

Gasperini now faces the additional challenge of managing a demanding schedule involving Serie A and the Champions League. He will need to balance the intensity of his football with squad rotation and the physical condition of his players.

Roma’s pre-season offered mixed results. They recorded a 4-1 victory over Newport County, but then suffered defeats by Cardiff City and Brighton & Hove Albion, losing 4-1 and 3-0 respectively. The defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion highlighted some defensive weaknesses. A 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund provided a more positive conclusion to their preparations.

The club have also made significant changes to their squad. Celik, Angelino, El Shaarawy and Dovbyk have departed, while the loan deals involving Zaragoza and Ferguson were not extended. Malen and Ghilardi were signed permanently after impressing during their previous spells.

Molina and Koulierakis have strengthened the defence, while Castro and Rodrigo Mora add further attacking options. Svilar remains a key figure in goal following an excellent season. Gasperini can also rely on Mancini, Ndicka, Wesley, Cristante and Kone, with Paulo Dybala and Matias Soule continuing to represent the team’s main attacking threats.

Fiorentina looking to recover

Fiorentina endured a difficult campaign last season. The Tuscan club spent a long period in danger of relegation before an improvement in form during the second half of the season lifted them clear. They eventually finished 15th in Serie A, eight points above the relegation zone.

The Viola are seeking a much stronger finish in 2026-27 and have appointed Fabio Grosso after his successful work at Sassuolo. Grosso, who won the 2006 World Cup with Italy, has already enjoyed a positive competitive debut, leading Fiorentina to a 4-1 victory over Benevento in the first round of the Coppa Italia.

The club have overseen a substantial reshaping of the squad. Defenders Comuzzo, Valentini, Moreno, Lamptey and Gosens have left, along with midfielders Richardson, Amatucci, Sohm and Fazzini. Beltran and Roberto Piccoli have also departed, with Piccoliwho scored four Serie A goalsjoining Bologna on a loan deal with an option to buy.

Rugani, Solomon and Harrison were not retained after their loan spells, while Brescianini and Fabbian remained at the club following their temporary arrangements with Atalanta and Bologna.

Fiorentina have recruited defenders Viery, Dragusin, Valdepenas, Joao Mario and Jimenez, as well as midfielders Inao Oulai and Atta. The winger Mastantuono has also arrived from Real Madrid. Mateo Pellegrini has signed from Parma but was not fit enough to play in the Coppa Italia and is expected to be available on Monday.

Italy international Kean, who scored eight Serie A goals last season, did not perform at his best but remains an important player for the Viola. Brazilian full-back Dodo is still with the club, as are defender Pongracic and midfielder Fagioli. Defender Parisi is injured.

Recent meetings

The most recent meeting between the sides ended in a 4-0 victory for AS Roma in Serie A on 4 May 2026. Across the past five years, Roma have won five of the clubs’ meetings, with two draws and three Fiorentina victories.

The biggest result in that period came on 27 October 2024, when Fiorentina won 5-1. That result underlines the potential for these fixtures to change dramatically, particularly if Roma’s defence struggles to contain the opposition.

Four of the last five meetings have produced at least two goals. However, the available assessment suggests that scoring two goals before half-time could prove difficult given the current form of both teams.

Roma’s home advantage, together with their recent 4-0 success in this fixture, has made them the market favourites. Betting prices remain subject to change.