AS Roma vs Inter Predicted Lineups: Team News for Serie A Clash

Top spot in Serie A is on the line at Stadio Olimpico as league leaders AS Roma host second-placed Inter in Round 5 of the 2026 campaign. Both sides come into this clash perfect after four games, each with 12 points, but Roma currently edge first place thanks to a superior goal difference of +11 compared to Inter’s +7. With two of Italy’s form teams colliding, this is one of the standout fixtures of the early season and a prime focus for anyone tracking predicted lineups ahead of kickoff.

Roma have been almost flawless at both ends of the pitch, scoring 12 and conceding just once across their four wins. Inter, meanwhile, boast the league’s most explosive attack so far with 13 goals, but they have been more open defensively, shipping six. Recent head-to-head history in Serie A has tilted towards Inter, but Roma’s strong start and home advantage at the Olimpico add real intrigue to the expected starting lineup and tactical approach for this meeting.

With both teams already tracking towards Champions League qualification places according to the standings description, this is an early six-pointer in the title race. Stats suggest a very balanced contest, and the battle of the front lines — led by Donyell Malen for Roma and a deep Inter attacking unit — will be central to any analysis of the predicted lineups.

AS Roma Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Roma arrive in superb league form with a perfect record (4 wins from 4, form string “WWWW”) and just one goal conceded. However, there are a couple of notable absences to factor into the expected lineup. M. Bah is ruled out with a knee injury, while defender E. Ndicka is unavailable due to illness. Both are listed as missing for this specific fixture, which slightly reduces depth in midfield and at the back but does not touch the established attacking core.

Given Roma’s early-season dominance and their use of an attacking-minded shape — reflected in an average of 3 goals per game and a strong defensive record — the manager is expected to stick close to his strongest XI. The focus will again be on getting D. Malen and P. Dybala into advanced, dangerous positions, with creative support from M. Soulé and a solid platform from experienced midfielders. With no other significant injuries reported, Roma should be able to field a very competitive starting lineup.

AS Roma Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: M. Svilar
DF: Hermoso; G. Mancini; L. Balerdi; D. Rensch
MF: B. Cristante; L. Pellegrini; M. Koné; N. Molina
FW: P. Dybala; D. Malen; M. Soulé

This predicted lineup leans heavily on Roma’s key statistical leaders. D. Malen has been the standout forward in Serie A so far, with 6 goals in 4 appearances, averaging over a goal per game and ranking as the top-rated attacker. His combination of 14 total shots (9 on target) and strong dribbling output (13 attempts, 8 successful) makes him the primary focal point in the final third. Around him, P. Dybala is the chief creator, leading the league’s assist charts with 4 assists and 17 key passes in just four games, underlining his importance as the main playmaker between the lines.

M. Soulé adds a third high-impact attacking presence. With 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 appearances and a solid 7.43 rating, he offers both goal threat and link play, having already registered 11 shots (7 on target) and 4 key passes. Behind this trio, the predicted midfield of B. Cristante, L. Pellegrini and M. Koné gives Roma balance: Cristante as a screening presence, Pellegrini as a box-to-box connector, and Koné adding energy and ball-carrying. At the back, Hermoso is a key figure: not only has he contributed 1 goal, but his defensive metrics (10 tackles, 16 interceptions) and high passing volume (270 passes at 87% accuracy) mark him out as a leader in Roma’s build-up and defensive structure. With M. Svilar likely continuing in goal and a compact back line, this XI looks set up to combine solidity with high attacking output.

Inter Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Inter also come into this clash with a perfect league record (4 wins from 4, form “WWWW”), and the league data shows they have been devastating going forward with 13 goals scored. However, they have conceded 6, all at home, which hints at some defensive vulnerability. For the trip to Rome, they face some important fitness issues that will influence lineups today. H. Çalhanoğlu is ruled out with a muscle injury, removing a key midfield orchestrator. D. Spence is also missing through injury, reducing options in the defensive rotation.

On top of that, F. Stante and J. Stones are both listed as questionable with injuries, which could further impact depth in the back line and squad rotation, even if they might still make the matchday squad. Despite these concerns, Inter’s core attacking options remain intact, including F. Esposito, M. Thuram and Lautaro Martínez, all of whom feature strongly in the league’s scoring and card metrics. With the team consistently using an aggressive, attack-oriented shape (their preferred setup has been recorded as a 3-5-2 across four matches), the expected starting lineup should still look very strong, especially in forward areas and central midfield where A. Diouf has emerged as a key creative presence.

Inter Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: Josep Martínez
DF: M. Akanji; A. Bastoni; B. Pavard; F. Dimarco
MF: N. Barella; A. Diouf; P. Zieliński; Carlos Augusto
FW: Lautaro Martínez; F. Esposito; M. Thuram

Inter’s predicted lineup is built around a powerful attacking trident and a technically strong midfield. Up front, F. Esposito has started all four league games, contributing 2 goals and 1 assist with 9 shots (5 on target) and 4 key passes, indicating a blend of finishing and creative work. M. Thuram has also produced 2 goals and 1 assist in just 140 minutes, with an impressive 7.57 rating, showing he can be extremely efficient whether starting or coming from the bench. Lautaro Martínez, meanwhile, adds another 2 goals, 11 shots and 4 key passes, making him both a finisher and a link player. His disciplinary profile (2 yellow cards) also points to his aggressive pressing and dueling style, which will be crucial against Roma’s back line.

In midfield, A. Diouf stands out as Inter’s top assist provider with 3 assists and 13 key passes from just 3 appearances, underlining his role as a central creator in the half-spaces. N. Barella and P. Zieliński bring experience, work rate and passing quality, while Carlos Augusto offers width and direct running from a wider midfield role. At the back, a core of M. Akanji, A. Bastoni and B. Pavard, supported by F. Dimarco’s left-sided presence, provides a blend of physicality and ball-playing ability. Josep Martínez is the logical pick in goal from the available options. Even with Çalhanoğlu absent, this XI looks capable of sustaining Inter’s high attacking output and pressing intensity.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

Absences are unlikely to completely reshape either side’s game plan, but they do carry tactical consequences. Roma’s missing players are more about depth, whereas Inter’s issues touch key structural roles in midfield and defensive rotation, which could matter in a high-intensity contest.

AS Roma Absences:

• M. Bah — Knee Injury (Missing Fixture)
• E. Ndicka — Illness (Missing Fixture)

Inter Absences:

• H. Çalhanoğlu — Muscle Injury (Missing Fixture)
• D. Spence — Injury (Missing Fixture)
• F. Stante — Injury (Questionable)
• J. Stones — Injury (Questionable)

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

This matchup pits Roma’s balance and defensive solidity against Inter’s high-powered attack. Roma have conceded just 1 goal in 4 matches, with their defensive numbers supported by leaders like Hermoso, who combines strong tackling and interceptions with progressive passing from the back. In front of him, a midfield anchored by B. Cristante and L. Pellegrini should aim to compress central spaces and limit the service into Inter’s forwards. Roma’s form line “WWWW” and their league goals conceded average of 0.3 per game suggest they are comfortable sitting in a compact block before springing forward through Dybala and Malen.

Inter, by contrast, have been more open defensively (6 goals conceded, 1.5 per game) but compensate with a dynamic front line. With Lautaro Martínez, F. Esposito and M. Thuram all contributing multiple goals and assists, they can attack Roma’s back three or four with varied movement: Lautaro dropping into pockets, Esposito attacking the box, and Thuram stretching the last line. A. Diouf’s presence as a high-volume chance creator (3 assists, 13 key passes) is particularly important with Çalhanoğlu out; he will likely look to exploit spaces between Roma’s midfield and defense. Wide areas also loom large: F. Dimarco and Carlos Augusto provide overlaps and crossing threat, while Roma will look to counter through M. Soulé and Dybala drifting into channels. The tactical battle may hinge on whether Roma’s disciplined structure can absorb Inter’s waves of pressure while still finding Malen early in transition.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Probability models rate this as a very balanced contest, with Inter marginally favored: the win probabilities sit at 10% for Roma, 45% for the draw and 45% for an Inter victory. The comparison indices also lean slightly towards Inter overall (total comparison index 53.0 vs 47.0) and in attack, while Roma hold a clear edge in defensive index. The Poisson index is strongly in Inter’s favor (92 vs 8), underlining the expectation that their attacking output could be decisive over 90 minutes.

Recent head-to-head results also support Inter: they have won four of the last five Serie A meetings, including a 5–2 home win in April 2026 and a series of narrow victories at the Olimpico. However, Roma’s current form and defensive numbers are much stronger than in many of those past fixtures. With both teams perfect so far and the models highlighting a high probability of a stalemate or away result, a tightly contested draw or narrow Inter win looks the most plausible. Given the strong weighting towards “draw or Inter” in the advice and the evenly matched standings, a cautious call is that the points are shared in a low- to medium-scoring encounter.

Predicted Outcome: AS Roma 1–1 Inter

How to Watch AS Roma vs Inter Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: To be confirmed on major sports broadcasters
• UK: To be confirmed on leading football channels
• USA / North America: Available via primary soccer streaming platforms
• South America: Coverage expected on regional sports networks
• MENA: Likely carried by regional pay-TV sports providers