AS Roma vs Inter Predicted Lineups: Serie A Clash

Top spot in Serie A is on the line at Stadio Olimpico as leaders AS Roma host second-placed Inter in Round 5 of the 2026 regular season. Both sides come into this heavyweight clash with perfect records: Roma have 4 wins from 4 with a goal difference of +11, while Inter also boast 4 wins from 4 and a goal difference of +7. With only goal difference separating them, this fixture already feels like an early-season six-pointer.

Roma have been ruthless so far, scoring 12 and conceding just once, and their league form string of “WWWW” underlines the consistency that has pushed them to 1st place on 12 points. Inter mirror that “WWWW” form and also sit on 12 points, but with a more open profile – 13 goals scored and 6 conceded. With both teams flying, predicted lineups and the fine detail of the starting lineup choices could be decisive in a match where margins will be small.

Head-to-head history slightly favours Inter in recent seasons, including a 5–2 win at San Siro in April 2026 and several tight victories in Rome. However, this is a very different Roma side, built around high-end attacking talent and a compact defensive block. With no official lineups yet, this preview focuses on analytically derived predicted lineups and how the expected selections shape the tactical battle.

AS Roma Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Roma’s early-season surge has come despite some notable absences in defence and midfield. For this fixture, M. Bah and E. Ndicka are both listed as missing, which directly affects the depth and rotation options in the back line and central areas. Even so, Roma’s form line of “WWWW” and a defensive record of just 1 goal conceded in 4 league games suggest a settled and resilient core that should largely remain intact in the expected starting lineup.

With 12 goals scored at an average of 3 per game, Roma are likely to maintain an attacking-minded shape at home, pressing high and looking to exploit transitions. The manager is expected to build around the in-form front line, particularly D. Malen and creative hub P. Dybala, while keeping a compact defensive structure led by Hermoso and G. Mancini. The predicted lineups today should reflect continuity rather than experimentation.

AS Roma Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

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

This predicted lineup leans heavily on Roma’s key statistical leaders. D. Malen has been one of the standout attackers in Serie A so far, with 6 goals in 4 appearances and an impressive rating of 8.1. His 14 shots (9 on target) and strong duel numbers underline how central he is to Roma’s attacking threat; he will likely operate as the primary goal outlet, constantly probing Inter’s defensive line.

Behind and around him, P. Dybala is the creative engine. He leads the league’s assist charts with 4 assists in 4 starts, backed by 17 key passes and 192 total passes at 83% accuracy. Expect him to drift between the lines, linking midfield and attack, and to be the main reference for set pieces and final-third combinations. M. Soulé, who already has 2 goals and 1 assist, offers an additional scoring and creative threat, with 11 shots (7 on target) and a strong dribbling profile. Together, this front unit gives Roma a multi-dimensional attack.

In midfield, B. Cristante and M. Koné provide balance and ball-winning, while L. Pellegrini and N. Molina can contribute to ball progression and width. At the back, Hermoso is not just a defensive pillar but also a ball-playing defender with 270 passes at 87% accuracy, plus 10 tackles and 16 interceptions. His card profile (both in yellow and red card rankings) suggests an aggressive style that will be important in containing Inter’s forwards. With G. Mancini and L. Balerdi alongside him and D. Rensch offering mobility, Roma can maintain a compact block while still pushing full-backs into advanced zones when in possession.

Inter Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Inter travel to Rome in equally outstanding form but with more complex team news. H. Çalhanoğlu and D. Spence are both ruled out as missing for this fixture, removing a key deep playmaker and a versatile defensive option from the pool. In addition, F. Stante and J. Stones are listed as questionable, which introduces uncertainty in defensive rotation and depth for the lineups today.

Even with these issues, Inter’s “WWWW” league form and 13 goals scored in 4 games point to a side that can impose itself offensively. Their typical setup this season has been an attacking-minded shape built from a three-man defence and a strong midfield core. With Çalhanoğlu unavailable, more creative responsibility falls on A. Diouf and the advanced forwards such as F. Esposito, M. Thuram and Lautaro Martínez, all of whom feature prominently in the top scorers and top assists charts.

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 starting lineup is constructed around their attacking depth. F. Esposito has started all 4 league games, with 2 goals and 1 assist, and is an important reference in the final third. His 9 shots (5 on target) and 29 duels (17 won) show a forward who can both finish and occupy defenders physically. Alongside him, M. Thuram has 2 goals and 1 assist from just 140 minutes, with a high rating of 7.57 and strong passing and dribbling numbers, making him a major threat running into channels and attacking crosses.

Lautaro Martínez adds further firepower, with 2 goals in 3 starts and 11 shots already. His presence not only boosts Inter’s finishing but also their pressing intensity from the front, as indicated by his duel and tackle numbers. Behind the forwards, A. Diouf has been one of the league’s most productive creators, with 3 assists in 3 starts and 13 key passes at a 91% pass accuracy. He will likely be tasked with linking play and feeding the front line in the absence of Çalhanoğlu.

In midfield, N. Barella and P. Zieliński offer work rate, control and vertical passing, while Carlos Augusto can provide width and overlapping runs. At the back, a defensive unit of M. Akanji, A. Bastoni, B. Pavard and F. Dimarco offers a blend of physicality, aerial strength and ball progression. Inter have conceded 6 goals so far (1.5 per game), more than Roma, but their ability to outscore opponents has compensated for that. The predicted XI suggests a side that will not shy away from an open contest.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

Absences on both sides slightly reshape the options but do not fundamentally weaken either starting lineup. Roma lose depth and some flexibility in rotation, while Inter must adjust in key creative and defensive roles. The impact is more about bench options and in-game tactical tweaks than about the core strength of the first XI.

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 match sets up as a clash between Roma’s compact, efficient structure and Inter’s high-powered, multi-forward attack. Roma have allowed only 1 goal in 4 games and kept 3 clean sheets; their defensive metrics in the league profile show strong control of space, particularly after the first quarter-hour, and an ability to limit high-quality chances. Hermoso’s defensive numbers (tackles, interceptions, duels won) and passing range will be crucial in dealing with the movement of Thuram and Esposito, while G. Mancini and L. Balerdi are expected to handle the aerial and physical challenge posed by Lautaro.

Offensively, Roma’s pattern is built around quick vertical attacks and exploiting late-game phases, with a notable share of goals arriving between minutes 76–90. Dybala’s 17 key passes and Soulé’s dribbling threat can target spaces behind Inter’s wing-backs and between the lines. Inter, by contrast, have scored heavily in the 46–60 minute window, often starting second halves aggressively. With Diouf orchestrating and three dangerous forwards rotating positions, Inter will try to stretch Roma’s back line horizontally and vertically. The key duel may be Roma’s midfield screen of Cristante and Koné against Inter’s central trio of Barella, Diouf and Zieliński: whoever controls that zone is likely to dictate tempo and territory.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Stats suggest a finely balanced contest. The prediction model gives Roma only a 10% chance to win, with both the draw and an Inter victory rated at 45%. The overall comparison index is close, with Inter holding a narrow edge (total index 53.0 vs 47.0), while the Poisson index heavily favours Inter (92 vs 8), indicating their attacking output may translate into better scoring chances over 90 minutes. Head-to-head comparison indices (20 vs 80) also lean strongly towards Inter, reflecting their recent dominance in this fixture.

Pre-match odds underline how tight this is: home win prices range roughly from 2.34 to 2.77 (implied probability around 36–43%), while away prices sit between about 2.50 and 2.72 (roughly 37–40%). Draw odds cluster between 3.10 and 3.50 (around 29–32%). Taken together with the prediction advice of “Double chance: draw or Inter”, the data points towards Inter avoiding defeat, even away at a flying Roma. With goal predictions in the model expressed as under thresholds rather than exact scores, the safest interpretation is a low- to medium-scoring game where Inter’s attacking depth just about balances Roma’s defensive solidity and home advantage.

Predicted Outcome: AS Roma 1–1 Inter
With both sides in perfect league form and high-quality attacking options, a draw looks the most plausible outcome, aligning with the 45% draw probability and the “win or draw” edge for 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: Local pay-TV sports channel or major streaming platform
• UK: Subscription-based sports broadcaster or official league streaming service
• USA / North America: Regional soccer network or dedicated Serie A streaming partner
• South America: National sports channel or OTT football platform
• MENA: Regional satellite sports network or licensed digital streaming service