Our Roma vs Real Madrid prediction leans towards the visitors, with Real Madrid narrowly backed to win at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday night. Roma are unbeaten in Serie A and dangerous at home, but they are missing first-choice goalkeeper Mile Svilar, and Madrid have a strong record in Rome. Kick-off is at 10pm East Africa Time.
The game has an extra storyline: Jose Mourinho, who won the Conference League with Roma in 2022, returns to the Olimpico as Real Madrid head coach. Here is our full preview.
Roma vs Real Madrid: Key Match Facts
- Competition: UEFA Champions League, league phase, Matchday 2
- Date: Wednesday 14 October 2026
- Kick-off: 10:00pm EAT (9:00pm CEST)
- Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
- Referee: Francois Letexier (France)
- Matchday 1: Fenerbahce 1-1 Roma; Real Madrid 2-1 Inter
- Roma last result: Como 0-0 Roma (Serie A)
- Real Madrid last result: Real Madrid 1-0 Villarreal (La Liga)
Roma Form: Unbeaten Under Gasperini
Gian Piero Gasperini has Roma organised and hard to beat. They are unbeaten in six Serie A matches, with four wins and two draws, and sit third on 14 points, two behind Inter and Lazio, who both have 16.
Their recent league results show both sides of this team. Roma led Inter 2-0 before being pegged back to 2-2, and on Sunday they drew 0-0 at Como after Donyell Malen was sent off early in the second half. Earlier in the campaign, they beat Torino 2-0 away, Atalanta 2-1 at home and Lecce 4-0 away.
In Europe, Roma opened with a 1-1 draw in Istanbul against Fenerbahce, with Bryan Cristante scoring. Gasperini said in his pre-match press conference that his side will not abandon their aggressive, man-marking approach against Madrid, and that recovering energy after playing almost half the Como game with ten men was his main concern.
Real Madrid Form: Results Without Rhythm
Mourinho’s Madrid have picked up points but are still finding their identity. They are fourth in La Liga with 18 points from eight games, six behind leaders Barcelona. Their recent La Liga run includes wins over Rayo Vallecano and Elche, defeats at Real Betis and in the derby at Atletico Madrid, and a 1-0 home win over Villarreal on Saturday.
That Villarreal game was won by Yan Diomande’s first goal for the club, but it was overshadowed by Vinicius Junior being sent off after coming off the bench. The good news for Madrid is that his suspension applies only to La Liga, so he is available in Rome.
Madrid began their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 home win over Inter, which is the kind of result that shows what they can do on the big nights. Mourinho said on Tuesday that Roma and Madrid will be opponents for 90 minutes but certainly not enemies, and that he expects both clubs to progress from the league phase.
Team News
Roma team news
Goalkeeper Mile Svilar is out with a fractured toe and is not expected back until around mid-November, so Pierluigi Gollini is set to start in goal. Gasperini said Cristante needs more time to recover from a knee problem, making him a major doubt. Konstantinos Koulierakis has returned to group training. Malen is available because his red card ban is for Serie A only.
Real Madrid team news
Madrid’s official squad for the trip leaves out Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo and Raul Asencio. Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, Arda Guler, Eduardo Camavinga and Dean Huijsen, who is back from a domestic ban, are all included.
Head-to-Head Record
History is firmly on Madrid’s side. The clubs have met 12 times, with Real Madrid winning eight, Roma three and one game drawn. Madrid have also won five of their six previous visits to Rome, and they won the last meeting at the Olimpico in 2018.
Odds and Betting Market
Bookmakers have Real Madrid as slight favourites at close to even money, with Roma priced at around 3.60 to 3.75 and the draw a little higher than that. Mbappe is the clear favourite in the anytime goalscorer market. Check the latest Roma vs Real Madrid odds on JetBet before kick-off.
Roma vs Real Madrid Prediction and Best Bet
Roma will make this physical and intense, and the Olimpico crowd will be loud for Mourinho’s return. However, losing Svilar is a real blow against a forward line that includes Mbappe and Vinicius, and Cristante’s likely absence weakens their midfield.
Madrid have not been fluent domestically, but they beat Inter on Matchday 1 and their record in Rome is excellent. We expect a close game, with Madrid’s individual quality the difference.
- Main pick: Real Madrid Draw No Bet
- Alternative: Kylian Mbappe to score anytime
- Correct score guess: Roma 1-2 Real Madrid
See our Roma vs Real Madrid prediction page, the full list of Champions League predictions and our predictions for today. Official squad details are on the Real Madrid website.
FAQ
What time is Roma vs Real Madrid in Kenya?
Roma vs Real Madrid kicks off at 10:00pm East Africa Time on Wednesday 14 October 2026 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Is Vinicius Junior suspended for Roma vs Real Madrid?
No. His red card against Villarreal brings a La Liga ban only, and he is in Madrid’s Champions League squad.
Who will play in goal for Roma against Real Madrid?
Mile Svilar is out with a fractured toe, so Pierluigi Gollini is expected to start in goal for Roma.
What is the best bet for Roma vs Real Madrid?
Our pick is Real Madrid Draw No Bet, with Mbappe to score anytime as an alternative. No bet is guaranteed, so always stake responsibly.
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