Roma will be hoping to make a strong start to the new season when they take on Hellas Verona in their opening Serie A match.

The Giallorossi are seen as the main title challengers to Juventus, but their opponents have produced a number of impressive displays since their return to the top flight.

Hellas Verona

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Verona have proven to be one of the surprise packages in Serie A since their promotion back to the top flight in 2013.

They did more than just battle against relegation as they finished in the top half on their immediate return, while they followed that up by securing a comfortable 13th-place spot last term.

Even though the Gialloblu faced more difficulties in their second season, they were never in danger of going down, and it represented another impressive accomplishment from Andrea Mandorlini, who has been in charge of the club for five years.

A major factor in the club's success has been the outstanding form of veteran striker Luca Toni. The 38-year-old was Serie A's top scorer last season with 22 goals and he will be expected to provide their main threat once again.

Although the league season starts at the weekend, this will not be Verona's first game of the season. The club warmed up for their meeting with Roma by earning a 3-1 victory over Foggia in the third round of the Coppa Italia on Saturday, with Emil Hallfredsson, Bosko Jankovic and Toni on the scoresheet.

Recent form: LDLW

Roma

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Having claimed a record points tally in the 2013-14 season and booking their return to the Champions League, Roma were expected to pose a bigger threat to Juventus in the title race last term.

A five-game winning run in the opening weeks of the season heightened expectations, but cracks soon began to show and a defeat to Juventus blunted their early optimism.

They were then handed a 7-1 thrashing by Bayern Munich in the Champions League as they eventually crashed out in the group stages, but they managed to keep pace at the top of Serie A and they were just one point off the top at the beginning of January.

However, a run of eight draws in nine matches followed to end their hopes of clinching the Scudetto, and they almost missed out on a place in the Champions League, before four wins in their final six games saw them end the season in second place.

Despite their position in the table, they finished a huge 17 points behind Juventus and they have made a number of signings over the summer to try to close the gap. Perhaps most notably they have brought in Edin Dzeko, Mohamed Salah and Iago Falque as they look to add more goals to a side who scored the least out of the top six last term.

It is not just in attack where they have strengthened, as Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has joined on loan from Arsenal, while Antonio Rudiger has been brought in from Stuttgart.

The return of Leandro Castan to full fitness is also sure to provide a major boost to the club. The Brazilian defender made just one appearance last season, before he underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. Castan admitted that he had considered quitting football, but Roma talked him out of it and even offered him a pay rise to show their support.

Recent form: WLLLWW

Team News

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Verona are expected to stick with their regular forward trio of Toni, Jankovic and Juanito, despite the arrival of former Italy international Giampaolo Pazzini.

However, there should be a league debut for midfielder Federico Viviani, who has joined the club from Roma.

Meanwhile, the visitors will have to make do without Argentine forward Juan Iturbe, who is forced to miss out against his former club through suspension.

New signings Dzeko and Salah should start in the attack, while fellow new arrival Falque will be battling it out with Gervinho and captain Francesco Totti for the final place in the forward line.

Castan is expected to make his first start in over a year and Szczesny is in line to make his Serie A debut.

Hellas Verona possible starting lineup:
Rafael, Pisano, Marquez, Moras, Souprayen, Sala, Greco, Hallfredsson, Gomez, Toni, Pazzini

Roma possible starting lineup:
Szczesny, Florenzi, Manolas, Castan, Torosidis, Pjanic, De Rossi, Nainggolan, Salah, Dzeko, Gerivinho

Head To Head

A goal from Jankovic saw Verona come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Roma in the last meeting between the teams in February.

However, the Giallorossi had won their previous four matches against Mandorlini's side, scoring 11 goals in the process.

We say: Hellas Verona 1-2 Roma

A strong start to the season is vital for Roma if they want to be considered genuine title challengers and they will face a strong test of their ambitions against Verona. The Gialloblu have shown before that they are capable of causing an upset against the league's biggest clubs, but the visitors should have too much strength in their attack, which is why we are backing them to come away with a win.

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