View from the Opposition: The quickfire scouting report on Torino

We met up with Gianluca Oddenino from Turin-based paper La Stampa to find out who Sinisa Mihajlovic could pick on Sunday...

What's changed compared with last season and what are the targets for this term?

"The Granata have strengthened the side compared with 2016-17 in that, besides the sale of Davide Zappacosta to Chelsea, they have brought in a number of big players and above all kept hold of Andrea Belotti who was very sought after on the transfer market. M'Biaye Niang has joined up front, Nicolas Nkoulou and Cristian Ansaldi in defence, Tomas Rincon in midfield from Juventus and they've replaced Joe Hart with Salvatore Sirigu in goal.

"Toro are definitely a stronger and more complete team than last season but they have still have to settle in Serie A, as can be seen from their league position. They have a very clear target in mind though, European qualification, as Mihajlovic has said publicly."

How will Mihajlovic set up on Sunday?

“Short of any surprises, Torino should start in the 4-2-3-1 that Mihajlovic introduced at the end of last season to replace the previous 4-3-3. The system gets the most of Adem Ljajic, who has been the Granata's poster boy thus far, particularly with Belotti out through injury. The big question mark on Sunday will be who will replace him in attack. Mihajlovic could retain Umar Sadiq who played their last fixture at Crotone, move Niang into the middle or even use Ljajic as a false nine.

"If I had to predict their starting XI, I'd say, Sirigu in goal and a back four of Ansaldi, Nkoulou, Emiliano Moretti and Cristian Molinaro, although Lorenzo De Silvestri could play at right-back, which would see Ansaldi switch sides. Rincon and Daniele Baselli should start in midfield, with Iago Falque, Ljajic and Niang playing off Sadiq."

Who will Torino's key man be against Roma?

“Clearly at the back the man marking Edin Dzeko will be important. Given Belotti's absence up front meanwhile, I'd say Ljajic who Mihajlovic is really looking to in his new formation. The Serbian is on good form, not only in terms of scoring goals, and he's someone who's matured a lot, becoming more consistent and more of a match winner compared with last season."

Who would you stop from playing for Roma if you could?

“Dzeko is the Giallorossi's most dangerous player at this moment in time, as seen from his 10 goals in 10 games in all competitions. Whoever can stop him has the chance to blunt Roma's attack."