Stat Attack: Facts to know heading to Sardinia

Hard to separate in Sardinia

Of the 39 previous top-flight meetings between these two sides in Cagliari, the hosts lead the historic standings: 17 to 16. The other 12 games have ended in a draw. Roma do at least lead the goal tallies: 56 to Cagliari’s 55.

Recent season revival

After going unbeaten for 11-straight home games between 1997 and 2012, Cagliari have actually lost four of the last six meetings with the Giallorossi - and both of the other games ended in 2-2- draws.

Long wait for the Rossoblu

You have to go back to the 2012-13 season for the last time Cagliari picked up three points against Roma – and that came at the Olimpico, in a 4-2 success. Since then Roma have won seven and drawn four of the 11 meetings.

Aerial threat

Both sides have scored eight goals from headers so far this season – only Inter (11) are above the two sides in that particularly category. Of those eight goals for the Giallorossi, five have come courtesy of Edin Dzeko.

Road warrior

Edin Dzeko’s next away goal will be his 100th on the road in one of Europe’s big-five leagues (with Wolfsburg, Manchester City and Roma).

Regular victims

Francesco Totti leads the all-time scoring charts for Roma against Cagliari, with 14 to hims name. Behind him in the top-three sit Abel Balbo and Simone Perrotta on six.

Current hitmen

Of current Roma players, both Federico Fazio and Aleksandar Kolarov have scored twice against the Rossoblu. Four other players have one goal to their credit.

Hat-trick hero

Roma have scored just one hat-trick against Cagliari in recent years – that came from Mattia Destro in a 3-1 league win back in the 2013-14 season.

Count on Kalinic

He had a goal disallowed in this fixture earlier in the season, yet Cagliari remain the Serie A squad Kalinic has had the most success against; four goals (including a hat-trick) and two assists against the Sardinians for him.

Facing Maran

Rolando Maran has been in the opposite dugout to the Giallorossi on 12 previous occasions, winning just one of the meetings. Roma, meanwhile, have picked up five wins and six draws.