Salernitana vs AS Roma prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2022-08-13 18:45.
Despite spending 33 matchdays in the Serie A (SA) relegation zone and suffering a 4-0 defeat on a crucial final day, Salernitana miraculously survived relegation last term. Aiming to avoid a similar fate, coach Davide Nicola has brought in Erik Botheim from Bodø/Glimt well known in Italy thanks to his two goals and three assists in the incredible 6-1 win over Roma in UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) last season.
Goals are required, as only relegated Genoa netted less than Salernitana’s 33 league strikes last season, with their -22 goal difference at home the worst in the league! However, Salernitana put together an impressive seven-game unbeaten run before their final day loss (W4, D3) – which included three consecutive SA wins for the first time in their history – and they will aim to start this new SA campaign in better shape after they lost their opening four matches last season.
Following their triumph in the UECL, Roma’s fans have witnessed an exciting summer with the arrival of big names, including Paulo Dybala and Georginio Wijnaldum. The enthusiasm is high in the Italian capital after a positive pre-season, which saw them overcome Tottenham Hotspur and thrash Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0 in their final pre-season match inside a sold-out Stadio Olimpico!
Roma won their opening three SA matches last season, including a whopping 4-0 win here and Jose Mourinho will hope of repeating such a result, as the Giallorossi appear set for a return to the Italian top four after four-year hiatus.
Players to watch: Norwegian youngster Botheim has netted 15 goals in his last 30 league appearances and will try to imitate his league debut at Bodø when he scored after only eight minutes. Roma’s Tammy Abraham became the first Englishman to score 17+ goals in a single SA season last term, including a second-half strike in this fixture.
Hot stat: Last season, Salernitana conceded 23 of their 39 SA goals at home before the break.