Roma kicks off the season after a strong finish: prediction for Roma vs Fiorentina
The opening round of the Italian championship between Roma and Fiorentina will take place on August 24, 2026, at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The Giallorossi return to the Champions League after securing third place last season, while Fiorentina, having narrowly avoided relegation, embark on a new chapter under Fabio Grosso.
Roma: a solid foundation after a spectacular end to the season
Gian Piero Gasperini's side closed out last season with five straight victories, scoring at least twice in each match and conceding just two goals in that stretch. Thanks to this impressive run, Roma finished third and earned a Champions League spot for the first time in eight years.
However, their summer form has been far less consistent: there were 3-3 and 2-2 draws against Cannes and Borussia Dortmund, respectively, as well as heavy defeats - 1-4 to Cardiff and 0-3 to Brighton. On the bright side, the squad has been bolstered by the arrivals of Santiago Castro and Nahuel Molina, both of whom are in line for their debuts.
Fiorentina: Grosso continues the rebuild after a dramatic escape
Last season nearly ended in disaster for Fiorentina, but under Paolo Vanoli, the team made a remarkable turnaround, posting the seventh-best record in Serie A during the second half of the campaign. Down the stretch, Fiorentina lost just one of their final 11 matches and kept clean sheets in five of their last eight.
Now led by Fabio Grosso, the squad has been reinforced with Arthur Atta, Krist Ulay, Matteo Pellegrino, and Franco Mastantuono. Ahead of the Serie A kickoff, Fiorentina defeated Benevento 4-1 in the Coppa Italia, with Moise Kean already getting his name on the scoresheet for the new season.
Match facts and head-to-head stats
- Roma have lost only one of their last 14 Serie A season openers.
- Last season, the Giallorossi won 13 home matches, suffering just three defeats at the Olimpico.
- Fiorentina have won only three of their last 52 league games against Roma at the Olimpico, with their last victory in Rome dating back to 2018.
Home advantage could again prove decisive: Roma vs Fiorentina prediction
Roma's preseason was a mixed bag, but last year's campaign highlighted just how formidable Gasperini's men are on home turf. In terms of readiness and tactical cohesion, the hosts appear to have the edge.
Fiorentina under Grosso have the capacity to trouble their opponents and boast enough attacking quality to find the net. However, the historical head-to-head in Rome and the overall strength of the hosts tip the prediction in Roma's favor.
