Winger Mohamed Salah has confidently predicted Roma will kick-start Luciano Spalletti's second spell in charge of the club with a victory over Serie A champions Juventus.
Roma have finished runners-up to Juve in each of the past two season, but have fallen considerably short of those levels this time around, leading to Rudi Garcia's dismissal as head coach.
Spalletti oversaw a 1-1 draw against winless basement boys Verona on his return – a result that was received frostily at the Stadio Olimpico.
But Salah, who impressed when Roma beat Juve 2-1 back in August, believes a Serie A double can be secured over a side who have won 12 of their previous 13 matches in all competitions.
"I think we're going to win 2-1," the Egypt international told La Stampa.
"They are really strong, but then again so are we. We have the obligation to aim high.
"It will be a full-throttle contest with both teams gunning for the three points. I don't see this game ending in a draw."
Salah shone on a visit to Juventus Stadium with Fiorentina last season, netting a decisive brace in a 2-1 Coppa Italia semi-final first-leg triumph – although Massimiliano Allegri's men won the return 3-0 as they marched towards a memorable treble.
"That was a great occasion and a magical evening," Salah said. "As for Sunday we just need that spark to get back to winning ways and setting our targets high.
"There's a long way to go and we're not out of anything yet."
Roma's recent struggles – the 2-0 win at home to Genoa on December 20 is their only victory in all competitions since beating city rivals Lazio by the same scoreline on November 8 – are in stark contrast to Juve's recovery from a dreadful start to their title defence.
Veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon does not expect Juve to run away with a fifth straight Scudetto on the back of this run and believes they are in for a tough encounter on Sunday.
"The league is finely balanced and the leaders are changing almost every Sunday," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Nevertheless, there's a long way to go and the games are open. If we win, Roma will be 10 points [behind Juve] which will be fundamental.
"The Giallorossi are a dangerous team that we should be afraid of. The further away Roma are in the league, the better for us."
Key Opta stats:
- Juventus have won their last four home league games against Roma.
- On their past 12 visits to face Juve in Turin, Roma claimed their solitary win in January 2010 (D3 L8).
- Only Bayern Munich (37) have conceded fewer shots on target than Juve (48) in the five major European leagues this season.
- Luciano Spalletti has lost 15 of his 18 Serie A matches against Juve and is yet to taste victory.
- Edin Dzeko's headed goal against Juve in August remains his only Serie A goal not from the penalty spot.
