Roma vs Real Madrid: Champions League Preview, Team News and Prediction

Real Madrid travel to the Italian capital for the first time since 2018, as they face a Roma team celebrating their Champions League return at the Stadio Olimpico. The night also brings José Mourinho back to one of his former clubs. Follow Roma vs Real Madrid live on Score808 for the score, lineups and stats.

Roma vs Real Madrid: Kick-Off Time and Venue

• Competition: UEFA Champions League 2026/27, league phase, Matchday 2
• Date: Wednesday, 14 October 2026
• Kick-off: 22:00 Kenya time (EAT), 21:00 CEST, 20:00 BST, 19:00 UTC
• Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Where Both Teams Stand

Roma are on one point after a 1-1 draw with Fenerbahçe, while Real Madrid have three after a 2-1 win over Inter. A win would put Madrid in the top-eight places, which skip the knockout playoff, while Roma would lift themselves into the same race with a first victory.

Roma: Form and Team News

Gian Piero Gasperini has made Roma hard to beat. The long-time Atalanta manager inspired Roma to a third-place finish last season, and the club are back in the Champions League after a long absence. This is their first home Champions League match since February 2019. Their last five finished matches:

• Sunday's Serie A match (11 Oct): 0-0 draw
• Roma 2-2 Inter (19 Sep, Serie A)
• Torino 0-2 Roma (14 Sep, Serie A)
• Fenerbahçe 1-1 Roma (10 Sep, Champions League)
• Roma 2-1 Atalanta (5 Sep, Serie A)

That is two wins and three draws, with no defeats. Roma are on a 14-game unbeaten run and have not lost at home inside 90 minutes since January.

On team news, Donyell Malen is available despite the red card he received on Sunday, because the suspension applies only to domestic matches. Malen will lead the attack alongside Paulo Dybala, who has stayed injury-free at the start of the season.

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Gollini; Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso; Molina, De Roon, Koné, Wesley; Dybala, Soulé; Malen. Former Atlético Madrid defender Mario Hermoso faces a familiar foe, having played in 13 Madrid derbies.

Real Madrid: Form and Team News

Real Madrid have good results but a patchy away record. Their last five results:

• Real Madrid 1-0 Villarreal (10 Oct, La Liga)
• Atlético Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid (20 Sep, La Liga)
• Elche 2-3 Real Madrid (15 Sep, La Liga)
• Real Madrid 4-1 Rayo Vallecano (12 Sep, La Liga)
• Real Madrid 2-1 Inter (8 Sep, Champions League)

That is four wins and one defeat. Madrid have struggled on the road this season. The record against Italian clubs is a major positive. Madrid have won 19 of their last 21 Champions League meetings with Serie A opposition.

Madrid have absences. Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo and Raúl Asencio are missing. Vinícius Júnior is suspended for the next three La Liga matches, so expect him to feature prominently in the Champions League during this domestic ban. Dean Huijsen is back on the squad list after missing the Villarreal match and is expected to start. There is another milestone too. Kylian Mbappé will make his 100th Champions League appearance in Rome.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Tchouaméni; Diomande, Bellingham, Vinícius; Mbappé. Other previews list Rüdiger in the defence, so wait for the confirmed lineup.

Head-to-Head Record

Madrid have won eight of the 12 meetings with Roma, and Roma have claimed just one home victory against them in their history. Madrid have also beaten Roma in five of their six away European games at the Olimpico this century, scoring at least two goals in each win. Roma's stronger recent form and home record give them a better chance than that history suggests.

Key Players to Watch

• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid): Madrid's main attacking threat on his 100th Champions League appearance.
• Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid): can create chances through his dribbling and acceleration.
• Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid): the link between midfield and attack.
• Paulo Dybala (Roma): his technical ability could help Roma unlock Madrid's defence in tight spaces.
• Donyell Malen (Roma): Roma's focal point up front.

Roma vs Real Madrid Prediction

Most previews favour Madrid by a single goal, but some expect a draw:

• Sports Illustrated predicts Roma 1-2 Real Madrid.
• Cult of Calcio predicts a Real Madrid win, pointing to Madrid's record against Italian clubs.
• SportyTrader predicts a draw with both teams scoring.
• Bets.com.au expects Roma to avoid defeat, citing their unbeaten home form.

Our view: Madrid have the stronger squad and the better history in this fixture, but Roma are very hard to beat at the Olimpico and Madrid's away form is shaky. A narrow Madrid win, 2-1, looks most likely, with a draw a real possibility. This is a forecast, not a guarantee.

How to Follow Roma vs Real Madrid Live

Open the Roma vs Real Madrid match page on Score808 for live updates, lineups and stats. You can also visit the UEFA Champions League hub for tonight's other fixtures.

In Kenya, SuperSport holds non-exclusive Champions League rights in sub-Saharan Africa through the 2026/27 season, so check your DStv or GOtv package for the match.

FAQ

What time is Roma vs Real Madrid in Kenya?
Kick-off is 22:00 EAT on Wednesday 14 October 2026, which is 19:00 UTC.

Where is the match being played?
At the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

How did both teams start in the Champions League?
Roma drew 1-1 with Fenerbahçe. Real Madrid beat Inter 2-1.

Is Vinícius Júnior playing?
His suspension applies only to the next three La Liga matches, so he is expected to be available. Check the confirmed lineup before kick-off.

What is the head-to-head record?
Real Madrid have won eight of 12 meetings. Roma have only one home win against them.

Who is favourite to win?
Real Madrid, though Roma's home form makes a draw possible.