AS Roma vs Inter Predicted Lineups and Team News – Serie A

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 regular season. Both sides arrive with perfect records: Roma have 4 wins from 4 with a goal difference of +11 (12 scored, 1 conceded), while Inter also boast 4 wins from 4 and a +7 differential (13 scored, 6 conceded). With only goal difference separating them, this clash already feels like an early-season title marker.

Roma’s league form string of “WWWW” underlines how efficient they have been at both ends, especially at home where they have scored 6 and conceded just 1 in two matches. Inter mirror that “WWWW” sequence, but with a more open profile: 12 goals scored and 6 conceded at home, plus a solid away win. With such fine margins in the standings, predicted lineups and the expected starting lineup choices from both coaches could be decisive in a fixture where neither can afford to blink.

Head-to-head history in recent seasons has tilted towards Inter, but Roma’s current defensive solidity and the explosive form of their attackers suggest a far more balanced contest. With no official lineups yet available, this preview focuses on analytically predicted lineups today, based on squad lists, injuries, and early-season key performers.

AS Roma Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Roma come into this game flying, top of Serie A with maximum points and just a single goal conceded across four matches. Their recent record shows a well-drilled, compact defensive block complemented by a very efficient attack. However, they do have notable absences: M. Bah and E. Ndicka are both listed as missing this fixture, which slightly reduces depth in midfield and defence.

Even with those setbacks, the core of the squad is intact. The form string “WWWW” suggests stability in selection and structure, so the expected approach is to keep a similar attacking-minded shape that has averaged 3 goals per game. The predicted lineups will lean heavily on in-form attackers and creative players, with continuity in goal and at the back where possible.

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: D. Malen, P. Dybala

This predicted starting lineup is built around Roma’s standout early-season performers. In attack, D. Malen has been one of the stars of Serie A so far: 6 goals in 4 appearances, with 14 shots and 9 on target, underline his status as Roma’s primary goal threat. He should be the focal point of the front line, constantly looking to exploit space behind Inter’s back three and attack crosses and through balls.

Alongside him, P. Dybala has been the chief creator in the league with 4 assists in 4 games, plus 13 shots and 17 key passes. His ability to drift between the lines, link midfield and attack, and deliver set pieces makes him central to Roma’s expected attacking plan. Behind them, the inclusion of L. Pellegrini and M. Koné gives balance between creativity and ball progression, while B. Cristante offers stability and screening in front of the defence.

At the back, Hermoso is a key figure. He features among the league leaders for disciplinary stats but also contributes significantly in build-up: 270 passes at 87% accuracy, 10 tackles, and 16 interceptions point to an aggressive, front-foot defender who steps out to break lines. Partnered with G. Mancini and L. Balerdi, plus the energetic D. Rensch in a wide defensive role, Roma are expected to maintain a compact block that can still push high when needed. M. Svilar is the logical choice in goal from the available goalkeepers, providing continuity behind a well-settled back line.

Inter Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Inter travel to Rome in equally impressive form, also sitting on 12 points from 4 games with a “WWWW” league form string. They have been more open than Roma defensively, conceding 6 goals, but their attack has been prolific with 13 scored and an average of 3.3 per game. The lineups today will be shaped by several important absences and doubts.

H. Çalhanoğlu and D. Spence are both listed as missing this fixture, while F. Stante and J. Stones are questionable. Çalhanoğlu’s absence, in particular, removes a major source of control and set-piece quality from midfield. Even so, Inter retain considerable depth and should still be able to field a strong expected starting lineup, leaning on their established 3-5-2 style (used in all four league games so far) with aggressive wing-backs and a powerful front line.

Inter Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

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

Inter’s predicted lineups are built around their established spine and early-season standouts. Up front, Lautaro Martínez has 2 goals from 3 starts and remains a relentless presser and penalty-box finisher, even while also appearing in disciplinary charts with 2 yellow cards. Alongside him, F. Esposito has emerged as a key figure: 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 starts, 9 shots (5 on target), and 29 duels with 17 won show a physically dominant attacker who can occupy centre-backs and link play.

In midfield, A. Diouf has been one of the league’s top assist providers with 3 assists in 3 appearances, plus 13 key passes and 91% pass accuracy. Without Çalhanoğlu, Diouf and N. Barella are expected to share responsibility for progression and creativity from central areas, with P. Zieliński offering additional passing quality and late runs. Wide, F. Dimarco and Carlos Augusto provide width and crossing threat, crucial in stretching Roma’s compact defence.

Defensively, the trio of B. Pavard, A. Bastoni, and M. Akanji offers a blend of physicality, aerial strength, and ball-playing ability. Inter’s defensive numbers (6 conceded) suggest some vulnerability, but their back line is still strong on paper. In goal, I. Provedel is a logical pick from the goalkeeping pool, anchoring a unit that will need to cope with the movement of Malen and the pockets Dybala likes to exploit.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

In a match where both teams are in perfect form, absences could subtly tilt the tactical balance. Roma’s issues are concentrated in defence and midfield depth, while Inter lose a key creative midfielder and a wing-back option, with two more defenders listed as questionable.

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

Tactically, this shapes up as a clash between Roma’s compact, defensively solid structure and Inter’s high-output, wing-oriented attacking system. Roma have conceded just 1 goal in 4 league games, with a defensive profile that suggests they are particularly strong after half-time. The predicted back line led by Hermoso and G. Mancini will look to compress central spaces, forcing Inter to rely on F. Dimarco and Carlos Augusto in wide areas. Roma’s midfield trio of B. Cristante, M. Koné, and L. Pellegrini is expected to protect the central corridor while still offering enough passing quality to release D. Malen and P. Dybala quickly in transition.

Inter, on the other hand, have scored in all four matches and often surge after the break, with a high proportion of goals between minutes 46 and 60. Their 3-5-2 base gives them natural superiority in wide channels, where F. Dimarco and Carlos Augusto can look to pin Roma’s wing-backs or full-backs deep. The combination of Lautaro Martínez and F. Esposito will test Roma’s centre-backs with constant movement and physical duels, while A. Diouf’s passing lanes into the front two are a key weapon. Without Çalhanoğlu, Inter may be slightly less dangerous from distance and set pieces, but they still have enough creativity through Diouf, Barella, and Zieliński to unlock a tight defence.

A key matchup will be Roma’s creative axis of Dybala and Malen against Inter’s back three. Dybala’s 4 assists and 17 key passes underline his influence between the lines, and if he can drag Bastoni or Akanji out of position, Malen’s pace and clinical finishing (6 goals already) can exploit the resulting gaps. Conversely, Inter’s ability to overload Roma’s flanks could pin back players like D. Rensch and N. Molina, limiting Roma’s ability to counter. Discipline will also matter: Hermoso and Lautaro Martínez both appear in the disciplinary charts, and any mistimed challenge in a high-stakes game could be costly.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Stats suggest a finely balanced contest, but the prediction model leans slightly towards Inter avoiding defeat. The win probabilities give Roma around a 10% chance to win, with both the draw and Inter victory rated at 45%. That aligns with Inter’s strong recent head-to-head record and their marginal edge in overall comparison indices, particularly in attack and goal output.

Given Roma’s outstanding defensive numbers and home advantage at Stadio Olimpico, a tight, low-margin game is more likely than a shootout. Inter’s attacking depth and the presence of multiple in-form forwards (Lautaro Martínez, F. Esposito, M. Thuram) give them a slight edge in creating decisive chances, but Roma’s combination of D. Malen’s finishing and P. Dybala’s creativity ensures they are capable of landing a significant blow of their own. With the goals fields in the prediction data set as under-goal thresholds rather than explicit scorelines, and the guidance pointing to “Win or draw” for Inter, a cautious call is that the visitors avoid defeat in a close encounter.

Predicted Outcome: AS Roma 1–1 Inter
Aligned with the double-chance advice (draw or Inter) and the 45% draw probability, a score draw looks the most reasonable conservative prediction.

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: Leading sports broadcaster or official league streaming service
• USA / North America: Regional sports network or subscription-based soccer streaming platform
• South America: Major continental sports channel or national broadcaster
• MENA: Regional satellite sports network or official digital streaming partner