AS Roma vs Cagliari Predicted Lineups: Serie A Clash Insights

AS Roma welcome Cagliari to Stadio Olimpico in Rome for a Serie A clash that could further solidify the hosts’ top-four credentials. Roma come into matchday 9 sitting 3rd in the table with 18 points from 8 games, unbeaten so far with 5 wins and 3 draws and a strong goal difference of +13 (19 scored, 6 conceded). Cagliari, meanwhile, have made a competitive start and arrive in 8th place on 13 points, with 4 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats, but a negative goal difference of -3 (6 scored, 9 conceded).

The fixture carries weight at both ends of the European race picture. Roma’s league form string of DWDDW underlines their consistency, especially at home where they have 3 wins and 1 draw with 10 goals scored. Cagliari’s form line of LLDWW shows a team that has recently found a way to win tighter games, even if they still struggle in attack with just 6 league goals. With official team sheets not yet available, this is the ideal spot to examine predicted lineups and the expected starting lineup for both sides based on current squad usage, absences and key performers.

Stats suggest Roma are justified favourites: the prediction model gives them a 45% chance of victory, with the draw also at 45% and Cagliari just 10%. Historical head-to-head at the Olimpico is also heavily in Roma’s favour, and their attacking output so far in Serie A 2026 makes this one of the standout home fixtures of the round.

AS Roma Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Roma’s excellent start has come despite a growing injury list. For this fixture, they are without several important names: M. Bah (knee injury), P. Dybala (calf injury), M. Koné (muscle injury), L. Pellegrini (thigh injury) and first-choice goalkeeper M. Svilar (toe injury) are all listed as missing. That removes a large chunk of Roma’s creative midfield and one of the league’s leading assist providers in Dybala, forcing the coach to lean even more on the depth in attack and central midfield.

Even with those absences, Roma’s expected approach should remain proactive and front-foot, especially at home where their attacking numbers are strong and they have yet to lose. Their league record shows a high-scoring side that tends to push late in games, and with an attacking core built around D. Malen and M. Soulé, the predicted lineups still look dangerous. The form guide (DWDDW) suggests a team that is hard to beat but occasionally wasteful; without Dybala and Pellegrini, Roma may focus on more direct attacking patterns and aggressive wing play rather than intricate buildup through the half-spaces.

AS Roma Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: P. Gollini
DF: L. Balerdi, Hermoso, G. Mancini, E. Ndicka, D. Rensch
MF: B. Cristante, M. de Roon, N. Molina
FW: D. Malen, M. Soulé

This predicted starting lineup leans heavily on Roma’s proven spine. With M. Svilar unavailable, P. Gollini is the logical choice in goal from the remaining keepers, offering experience behind a defensive block built around Hermoso, G. Mancini and E. Ndicka. Hermoso has been one of Roma’s standout defenders in Serie A 2026, combining a strong defensive rating with progressive passing and already contributing a goal; his presence on the left side of the back line is key to initiating attacks. Balerdi and D. Rensch add mobility and one‑v‑one defending in the wide defensive channels.

In midfield, B. Cristante and M. de Roon provide a double layer of ball-winning and distribution, compensating for the absence of creative midfielders like L. Pellegrini and M. Koné. N. Molina, listed as a midfielder, is expected to give width and crossing from the flank, an important outlet with Dybala out. Up front, the focus is firmly on D. Malen and M. Soulé. Malen is currently one of the league’s top scorers with 6 goals and 1 assist in 7 appearances, supported by impressive shot volume and dribbling output. He is also present in the red card statistics, underlining his aggressive style and willingness to engage in duels. Soulé has added 3 goals and 1 assist in 8 appearances, ranking highly both among Roma’s scorers and assist contributors. Together, they form a dynamic, dribble-heavy front line that should stretch Cagliari’s defence and generate a high volume of shots.

Cagliari Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Cagliari travel to Rome with their own set of absences to manage. They will be without M. Felici (knee injury), R. Idrissi (knee injury), Y. Trepy (injury) and H. Winks (back injury), all listed as missing for this fixture. The loss of Winks in particular removes an experienced midfield controller, while Felici and Trepy reduce attacking rotation options. Even so, the Sardinian side have built a solid early-season platform, with 4 wins from 8 and a recent form pattern of LLDWW that shows their capacity to respond positively after setbacks.

Given the strength of the opposition and the venue, Cagliari’s lineups today are expected to be more conservative, prioritising a compact defensive structure and quick transitions. Their league statistics show a modest attacking record (6 goals in 8 games) but a reasonably organised defence, conceding just 9. They will likely rely on the creativity and goal threat of D. Maldini from midfield and the work rate of M. Adopo, who appears in the top assists chart, to link play and create chances on the break.

Cagliari Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: E. Caprile
DF: Zé Pedro, Y. Mina, A. Obert, Y. Sugawara, G. Aurelio
MF: M. Adopo, A. Deiola, R. Gagliardini, D. Maldini
FW: Kevin Carlos

In goal, E. Caprile is the leading candidate from the available keepers to start behind a defence that should feature Zé Pedro and Y. Mina as the central pairing, with A. Obert and Y. Sugawara offering full-back coverage and G. Aurelio adding an extra defensive option either as a third centre-back or a more conservative wide defender. Zé Pedro and A. Deiola both appear in the disciplinary charts with multiple yellow cards, underlining their physical, front-foot defending style; managing that aggression against Malen and Soulé will be crucial.

Midfield is built around two key statistical standouts. M. Adopo is among Serie A’s leading assist providers this season with 2 assists from midfield, and his passing and defensive workrate make him a natural starter. D. Maldini is Cagliari’s top scorer with 4 league goals and a penalty conversion, operating from an advanced midfield role where he can arrive late in the box or shoot from the edge. A. Deiola and R. Gagliardini bring steel and experience in the central band, helping to shield the back line and contest second balls. Up front, Kevin Carlos is a logical focal point from the attacking options, providing a physical reference to occupy Roma’s centre-backs and create space for Maldini’s runs from deep.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

The absences on both sides have a clear tactical and personnel impact on this fixture, particularly in midfield creativity and rotation options. Roma are forced to reconfigure their attacking midfield, while Cagliari must cope without an experienced controller and several depth pieces in advanced areas.

AS Roma Absences:

M. Bah — Knee Injury (Missing Fixture)
P. Dybala — Calf Injury (Missing Fixture)
M. Koné — Muscle Injury (Missing Fixture)
L. Pellegrini — Thigh Injury (Missing Fixture)
M. Svilar — Toe Injury (Missing Fixture)

Cagliari Absences:

M. Felici — Knee Injury (Missing Fixture)
R. Idrissi — Knee Injury (Missing Fixture)
Y. Trepy — Injury (Missing Fixture)
H. Winks — Back Injury (Missing Fixture)

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

On paper, Roma’s predicted lineup has a clear edge in attacking quality and depth, even without Dybala and Pellegrini. Their league record shows 19 goals in 8 games and a dominant home profile, while Cagliari have managed just 6 goals in the same span. The comparison indices back this up: Roma lead the overall comparison index 69.8 vs 30.3, with a strong advantage in attack (62 vs 38) and defence (67 vs 33). That suggests Roma should be able to control territory and possession, pinning Cagliari back and forcing them into a low block for long stretches.

Key matchups will revolve around Roma’s front pair against Cagliari’s defensive core. D. Malen’s movement between the lines and willingness to run in behind will test Zé Pedro and Y. Mina, while M. Soulé’s dribbling and ability to receive under pressure between the lines can drag Cagliari’s midfield out of shape. On the other side, Cagliari’s main route to goal is likely to be through D. Maldini’s late runs and set-piece situations. Roma’s defence has been strong, conceding only 6 in 8 league games, but they must be alert to Maldini’s shooting and the aerial threat from Cagliari’s taller players on dead balls. In midfield, the battle between B. Cristante / M. de Roon and M. Adopo / A. Deiola will dictate how often Cagliari can escape pressure and launch counters. If Roma’s double pivot can consistently win second balls, the game will tilt heavily in the hosts’ favour.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Taking into account form, squad strength, injuries and the underlying comparison indices, Roma are justifiable favourites at home. The prediction model gives Roma and the draw equal chances at 45%, with Cagliari at only 10%, but the bookmaker odds are even more bullish on the hosts. Home win prices range from 1.33 to 1.40, implying an approximate probability band of around 71–75% for a Roma victory, while draw odds between 4.60 and 5.20 imply roughly 19–22%, and away odds up to 9.84 imply around 10–11%. That aligns with Roma’s unbeaten record and much stronger attacking numbers.

With both sides generally involved in low-to-moderate scoring games and Cagliari’s attack relatively blunt, a controlled Roma win to nil or with minimal margin looks the most plausible scenario. Roma’s forward line featuring Malen and Soulé should generate enough chances to break through at least once, while their defensive structure at the Olimpico has been reliable. Expect Cagliari to stay in the game through organisation and work rate, but the difference in individual quality in the final third should tell over 90 minutes.

Predicted Outcome: AS Roma 1–0 Cagliari

How to Watch AS Roma vs Cagliari Worldwide

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

Spain: Local pay-TV sports channel / streaming platform
UK: Major sports broadcaster or official Serie A rights holder
USA / North America: Subscription streaming service carrying Serie A
South America: Regional sports network with Serie A coverage
MENA: Satellite sports network or official Serie A streaming partner