Pellegrini has been a consistent performer for Roma since the 2017/18 season and the 29-year-old is starting to benefit from the guidance of Gian Piero Gasperini. Gasperini developed a reputation at Atalanta for developing attacking talent, and he’s having the same effect at Roma with the likes of Pellegrini and Matias Soule benefiting from his tutelage.

Pellegrini has already registered four goal contributions across all competitions for Roma this season, taking him to within one of the tally he managed across the entirety of last campaign. Pellegrini has had 12 shots across his seven appearances in Serie A this season (2.80 per 90), with six of those efforts finding the target (1.40 per 90).

Roma are averaging 5.20 shots on target per game in Serie A this term, so we can expect them to generate quite a few chances for their forward line here. This shot record has returned two goals for Pellegrini, who netted in both of Roma’s matches just before the international break against Udinese and Rangers.

I regularly return to this market when betting on Roma. Evan Ndicka has committed at least one foul in four of his last five appearances for Roma, and will face up against a familiar face to fans of English football, with Jamie Vardy being his main opponent.

Ndicka has committed 12 fouls across his 11 appearances in Serie A overall this season (1.15 per 90). He is useful for Roma as he can play in any of the three centre back positions that Gasperini likes to build with. He is likely to be faced with situations where Cremonese can beat the Roma press and offer a threat on the counter.

Jamie Vardy has scored two goals in Serie A so far since making the move to Cremonese in the summer. He’s won five fouls across his 513 minutes of action (0.88 per 90), and he still has his burst of spee,d which can aid him in drawing a foul from Ndicka, who isn’t the most mobile of centre backs and may struggle at times with Vardy’s runs in behind.

I knew to keep an eye on Roma this season when they confirmed Gian Piero Gasperini as their head coach. The former Atalanta manager is one of my favourite coaches, and is someone that continues to be underrated when elite managers are discussed.

The new boss has led Roma to eight wins from their 11 matches in Serie A this season, leaving Roma level on points with the league leaders, Inter Milan. Roma also boast the best away record of any side in Serie A this season, winning four of their five matches on the road. Roma’s defensive strength has been particularly outstanding with the Italian side only conceding five goals across their 11 matches this term. 

Cremonese have been stubborn without being spectacular at home so far, winning just one of their five matches - but drawing three of those games. This tells us that the home side will put up a fierce battle against the quality of Roma, though Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have enough quality and momentum to come away with all three points from this encounter. 

Jamie Vardy has already had an impact since moving to Italy, having scored twice for Cremonese across his five starts in Serie A so far. Vardy has had seven shots across these appearances (1.23 per 90) and can offer a threat for the home side on the break here.

Vardy is still more than able to contribute at this level, as displayed by his early strikes in the Italian top flight. Serie A is a very tactical and pragmatic league, so Vardy may have to adjust his playing style, but he still possesses the natural finishing ability which can make him a threat in this contest.

Vardy had two shots and scored in Cremonese’s most recent home game against Juventus, highlighting his ability to perform against the elite sides in Serie A. He only had 14 touches in that game, which also shows that he doesn’t need many openings to get shots away.