Cesc Fabregas believes his Como side "need the perfect game" to defeat Roma, who he believes have shown the most improvement since January.

It will be a crucial match at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, with both sides on the same points as they battle for fourth in Serie A.

Juventus' win over Udinese saw the Bianconeri move into the top four, leaving Como fifth and Roma sixth.

Como, who are also in the Coppa Italia semi-finals, are unbeaten in seven of their last eight Serie A matches (W5 D2 L1), including wins in their last three games.

Despite their strong form, Fabregas insisted Como must be at their best to get the better of Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma.

"They had an extraordinary transfer window, they have raised their level more than anyone. We need the perfect game," said the Spaniard.

"Like when we won at Napoli or against Juventus. We must play our way, and then the pitch will speak."

Como have surpassed 50 points (51) in their first 28 matches of a Serie A season for the first time ever (assuming three points for a win).

Overall, they have only earned more points in an entire top-flight campaign on two occasions: 56 in 1949/50 and 58 in 1950/51.

Fabregas, however, has urged his Como side not to get ahead of themselves in the race for the Champions League places, insisting that there is still a job to do.

"If we get there, great, if we don’t, we continue to build," added the Como boss.

"I would get angry if my players talked about Champions League right now. Not because of the subject itself, but because it’s not the moment.

"If it doesn’t happen, what are we, failures?"

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Como – Nico Paz

With one more goal, Paz can become the first player to reach double figures for goals in a single Serie A season for Como since Stefano Borgonovo in 1985/86 (10) – Tasos Douvikas also has nine goals for Como in the current campaign.

Paz scored on his Serie A debut against Roma in December 2024, at the Sinigaglia.

Roma – Donyell Malen

Malen has scored six goals in his first eight appearances in this Serie A campaign; only five players in Roma's history have netted more goals in a single top-flight season without scoring in the first half of a season.

MATCH PREDICTION: COMO WIN

Como have won each of their last two home Serie A matches against Roma, both with a 2-0 scoreline. They have never registered more consecutive home victories against the Giallorossi in the competition.

Roma, however, have won seven of their last nine Serie A matches against Como (L2), after failing to win any of their previous six encounters (D5 L1).

These two sides have never met in the competition while having collected so many points (51 each).

Considering matches between teams currently in the top six in Serie A, Como and Roma are the two sides that have gained the fewest points, with eight for Como and six for Roma.

Roma have failed to win seven of their last 10 Serie A away matches (D1 L6), after winning all four of their first away games in the competition this season.

Furthermore, since December, only four teams (Genoa, Lecce, Pisa and Cremonese) have collected fewer away points (seven) than the Giallorossi.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Como – 46.4%

Draw – 26.8%

Roma – 26.8%