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

Top spot in Serie A is on the line at Stadio Olimpico as early leaders AS Roma host second-placed Inter in Round 5 of the 2026 season. Both sides come into this clash perfect after four games, each with 12 points, but Roma hold 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 weekend and a prime focus for anyone tracking predicted lineups.

Roma have been ruthless so far, scoring 12 and conceding just 1 across their opening four league matches. Their form line of “WWWW” underlines a side combining attacking fluency with defensive solidity. Inter mirror that perfect record with their own “WWWW” run, hitting 13 goals and conceding 6, driven by a powerful attack but a more open back line. Recent head-to-head history slightly favours Inter, but Roma’s current momentum and home advantage at Stadio Olimpico make this an intriguing tactical and personnel battle.

With both clubs juggling ambitions of a title challenge and Champions League qualification, the margin for error is slim. That places extra emphasis on the expected starting lineup choices and the availability of key players. This pre-match analysis breaks down the team news, predicted lineups, and tactical matchups likely to define AS Roma vs Inter.

AS Roma Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Roma’s squad is in strong shape but not completely untouched. Two players are listed as unavailable for this fixture: midfielder M. Bah and defender E. Ndicka, both ruled out as “Missing Fixture”. Their absence slightly reduces depth in midfield and at the back, but the core of the starting XI remains intact. Given Roma’s perfect “WWWW” league form and an impressive defensive record of just one goal conceded, continuity in selection is expected.

Tactically, Roma have alternated between flexible three-at-the-back systems this season, leaning on a compact defensive block and quick transitions. With creative star P. Dybala leading Serie A in assists and D. Malen in prolific scoring form, the expected approach is proactive: dominate the ball in advanced zones and use dynamic attackers between the lines. The predicted lineups today should therefore prioritise their in-form forwards and experienced midfield structure.

AS Roma Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

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

This predicted starting lineup leans heavily on Roma’s most influential performers in the final third. D. Malen is currently the standout attacker in Serie A with 6 goals in 4 appearances, averaging over a goal per game and generating high shot volumes and accuracy. He should lead the line, attacking the space behind Inter’s back three and exploiting any high defensive line. Around him, P. Dybala has been the league’s top creator with 4 assists and 17 key passes, operating as a roaming playmaker who can drift between midfield and attack to overload central zones.

M. Soulé adds a dual threat as both scorer and provider, with 2 goals and 1 assist already, plus strong dribbling and pressing numbers. He is expected to occupy the half-spaces, combining with Dybala and Malen to form a fluid front trio. Behind them, the double pivot of B. Cristante and M. Koné offers balance: Cristante as the organiser and screen, Koné as the more dynamic ball-carrier. On the flanks, N. Molina and L. Pellegrini should provide width and crossing, with Pellegrini also capable of stepping inside as an extra playmaker.

At the back, Hermoso is a key figure, not just as a defender but as a ball-progressor. He has contributed a goal, high passing accuracy, and strong defensive metrics, though his card record (multiple yellows across the disciplinary stats) underlines an aggressive style that could be tested by Inter’s movement. Partnered by G. Mancini and L. Balerdi, Roma’s back line is built for a compact, positionally disciplined shape that has underpinned their run of three clean sheets in four league games.

Inter Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Inter arrive in Rome with a few more question marks in their squad. H. Çalhanoğlu and D. Spence are both listed as “Missing Fixture”, ruling them out of contention, while F. Stante and J. Stones are marked as “Questionable” with injuries. Çalhanoğlu’s absence is particularly significant, as he is usually central to Inter’s build-up and set-piece threat. Even so, Inter’s “WWWW” league form and 13 goals scored suggest they have enough depth to maintain a high attacking output.

The lineups today for Inter are expected to stay close to their established attacking-minded shape, which has been recorded as a 3-5-2 in all four league fixtures. Without Çalhanoğlu, creative responsibility in midfield should tilt more towards A. Diouf, who is among the top assist providers in Serie A, and P. Zieliński. Up front, the combination of F. Esposito, M. Thuram, and Lautaro Martínez offers multiple profiles: a young target and link player, a powerful runner, and a complete finisher. Inter’s coach is likely to stick with a proactive approach, pressing high and using wing-backs aggressively.

Inter Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

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

This predicted starting lineup keeps Inter’s core defensive trio intact while compensating for the injuries. Josep Martínez is the logical choice in goal, with B. Pavard, M. Akanji, and A. Bastoni forming a strong back three that can defend large spaces and initiate build-up. On the flanks, F. Dimarco and Carlos Augusto are expected to operate as high, aggressive wing-backs, key to stretching Roma’s block and delivering crosses for the forwards.

In midfield, N. Barella provides the engine and box-to-box presence, while P. Zieliński offers control and line-breaking passes. The key creative fulcrum is A. Diouf, who has already delivered 3 assists in 3 appearances, with excellent passing accuracy and a high volume of key passes. He will be tasked with connecting midfield to attack, especially in the absence of Çalhanoğlu. Up front, Lautaro Martínez and F. Esposito form a dangerous pairing: Lautaro has 2 goals and a strong all-round contribution, while Esposito has also scored 2 and assisted 1, with impressive duel and hold-up numbers. M. Thuram, another 2-goal, 1-assist attacker, is a major option from the bench or as a rotation in the front line.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

Absences on both sides subtly reshape the balance of this contest, particularly in midfield control and defensive depth. Roma’s missing players reduce rotation options, while Inter’s injuries directly affect their usual creative hub and defensive flexibility.

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)

Roma’s loss of E. Ndicka removes a powerful left-sided defender from consideration, making Hermoso even more central to their defensive structure. M. Bah’s knee injury reduces midfield depth but does not directly disrupt the first-choice XI. For Inter, Çalhanoğlu’s muscle injury is the major tactical blow, forcing a redistribution of set-piece duties and deep creative passing. D. Spence’s absence and the uncertainty around J. Stones and F. Stante limit options in the defensive rotation and wing-back roles, which could matter late in the game if Inter need to adjust shape.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

This matchup pits Roma’s compact, defensively robust structure against Inter’s high-powered, wing-back-driven attack. Roma have conceded just 1 goal in 4 league matches, with a defensive index in the comparative metrics that heavily favours them, while Inter’s attack carries a slight edge in attacking indices and a Poisson index that leans strongly their way. The predicted lineups suggest Roma will seek to control central areas with Cristante and Koné, while Dybala and Soulé drift into pockets between Inter’s midfield and defence to receive and turn.

Inter’s likely 3-5-2 shape will test Roma’s wide defenders and wing-backs. Dimarco and Carlos Augusto pushing high will try to pin back N. Molina and L. Pellegrini, potentially isolating Roma’s back three against the movement of Lautaro Martínez and Esposito. The key battlegrounds will be: Dybala vs Inter’s central midfield screen, Malen attacking the channels between Bastoni and the wing-back, and Diouf’s ability to find vertical passes under Roma’s press. Disciplinary trends also matter: Hermoso’s aggressive defending against Inter’s mobile forwards, and Lautaro’s combative style (reflected in his yellow card record) in duels with Roma’s centre-backs, could influence the flow if early bookings appear.

Match Prediction and Verdict

The prediction model leans slightly towards Inter avoiding defeat, with a 45% chance assigned to an away win, 45% to a draw, and only 10% to a Roma victory. Overall comparison indices also tilt narrowly in Inter’s favour, 53.0 to 47.0, reflecting their marginally stronger attacking metrics and historical head-to-head edge. At the same time, Roma’s defensive numbers and perfect start at home make this far from a straightforward away assignment.

Given that the goals fields in the prediction data are specified as thresholds rather than exact scorelines, and with the official forecast favouring “double chance: draw or Inter”, a tight, tactical contest is expected. Inter’s depth in attack and their ability to score in bursts suggest they may find a way through, but Roma’s form and structure should keep them competitive for 90 minutes.

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: Live on a major sports channel and selected streaming platforms.
• UK: Broadcast on a leading pay-TV sports network and its online service.
• USA / North America: Available via a premium soccer streaming service and cable sports network.
• South America: Shown on regional sports broadcasters with digital streaming options.
• MENA: Carried by a regional sports network with satellite and OTT coverage.