Just when Roma seemed to have turned a corner they ran straight into another poor performance, so it’s anyone’s guess which side will turn up at the Stadio Rigamonti.

Francesco Totti’s late penalty – and the crossbar – rescued them from a shock home defeat to Sampdoria last week and Gigi Del Neri’s problems are clearly far from over. Cristian Chivu, Philippe Mexes, Mido, Gigi Sartor and Damiano Tommasi are still sidelined, while captain Totti is suspended. The return of Antonio Cassano from a bruised ankle gives Del Neri the opportunity to bring back the 3-4-3 system that had proved so successful in the 4-0 destruction of Siena. But the former Chievo boss looks set to stick with his favoured 4-4-2 instead with Daniele De Rossi back from his ban.

Brescia’s confidence was given a massive boost with their 3-1 victory away to fellow relegation battlers Reggina. Before that result, Gianni De Biasi was under pressure as his side had not scored in three games and was sliding towards the drop zone. There has always been an intense and often violent rivalry between the two clubs, so expect fireworks and the key figure could be former Roma veteran Gigi Di Biagio.



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Brescia (probable): Castellazzi; Martinez, Di Biagio, Mareco, Stankevicius; Schopp, Milanetto, Guana, Dallamano; Sculli, Caracciolo

Roma (probable): Pelizzoli; Panucci, Dellas, Ferrari, Cufre; Mancini, De Rossi, Perrotta, Candela; Montella, Cassano