Roma v Real Madrid: Mourinho return headlines Champions League team news

Rome’s Olympic Stadium will host one of the standout fixtures of the second matchday in the Champions League on Wednesday, when AS Roma, managed by Gian Piero Gasperini, face Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho returns to his former club.

Both sides are expected to make changes because of injuries, although the visitors can still name a strong starting XI for their trip to Italy.

AS Roma

AS Roma will be without goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who has a fractured finger, while Bryan Cristante is unavailable because of knee inflammation.

However, Evan Ndicka, Manu Kone and Paulo Dybala are all expected to be fit and available as Gasperini’s side attempt to compete with Real Madrid.

The predicted AS Roma line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Pierluigi Gollini

Defenders: Mario Hermoso, Evan Ndicka, Gianluca Mancini

Midfielders: Nahuel Molina, Manu Kone, Marten de Roon, Wesley Franca

Forwards: Lorenzo Pellegrini, Paulo Dybala, Donyell Malen

Real Madrid

Mourinho faces a significant injury list, with Ibrahima Konate, Raul Asencio, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo all ruled out.

Despite those absences, Real Madrid have enough depth to field a highly competitive team. Thibaut Courtois, Kylian Mbappe, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham are all expected to retain their places in the starting line-up.

The predicted Real Madrid team is:

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois

Defenders: Denzel Dumfries, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella

Defensive midfielders: Federico Valverde, Bernardo Silva

Attacking midfielders: Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham, Yan Diomande

Striker: Kylian Mbappe

The fixture will be AS Roma’s second Champions League match of the campaign, with Real Madrid providing the opposition at the Olympic Stadium in Rome.

Match odds

According to betting company 1xbet, AS Roma are priced at 3.50 to win, while the draw is available at 3.80. Real Madrid are the favourites at 1.80.