Stat Attack: Facts to know before Roma face Cagliari

Here are the key facts and stats you need to know ahead of the game, which gets underway at 18:00 local time.

Giallorossi ahead on paper

Saturday's game will be the 87th meeting between the two sides. Of the games played so far, Roma have won 36, drawn 27 and lost 23.

Even stevens in away games

When it comes to top-flight meetings between the two sides in Sardinia, the record is completely equal: both sides have walked away with 14 wins, with the other 10 games finishing in draws. Roma have a narrow edge in goals scored, however: 54 to 53.

Recent history looking good

In the last eight Serie A meetings between these two sides, the Giallorossi are on a run of 20 points from a possible 24 - drawing just two of those games. Cagliari have to go back to 2013 for their last win over Roma - a 4-2 success at the Stadio Olimpico in February of that year.

Totti, king of Roma's goalscorers

We write it almost every week: no player has scored more goals against Cagliari for Roma than Francesco Totti. Totti scored 14 goals against the Rossoblu during his career, well ahead of Abel Balbo and Simone Perrotta (six).

Double trouble

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given those figures, Totti is also the player with the most multiple-goal hauls against Cagliari: four times in his career he scored at least twice against that opponent. The only hat-trick for a Roma player came from Mattia Destro, who managed it in a 3-1 win at the Sant'Elia back in the 2013-14 campaign.

Di Francesco v Maran

Coach Eusebio Di Francesco should know Saturday's opponent well: Rolando Maran is the coach he has faced the most times so far in his burgeoning managerial career. The two have faced off a total of 13 times already, with Maran edging the standings with four wins, six draws and just three defeats to his name.

The last time these two coaches met was when Maran was still in charge of Chievo Verona - a 4-1 win for Roma during the league last season.

Festive rules

On the eight previous occasions between these sides that have taken place in December, Roma have won five - and only lost one. A year ago it was Federico Fazio who proved the hero of the our, as he scored in injury time to beat the Sardinians at the Stadio Olimpico.

Three trips without success

Di Francesco's side have not won away from the Olimpico since the start of October (when they beat Empoli 2-0). Since then they have managed only draws against Napoli (1-1) and Fiorentina (1-1), and a defeat against Udinese (1-0).

That first 15 minutes

Roma are the only side in Serie A who are still to concede a goal in the first 15 minutes of a match.

Off the frame

Roma have already hit the woodwork 10 times in just 14 league games so far this season. Only Empoli have managed the same, unwanted, record.