Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen: Preview, predictions & lineups | OneFootball

Xabi Alonso succumbed to former boss Jose Mourinho at this stage of the competition last season, with Roma grinding out a 1-0 aggregate victory before losing to Sevilla in the final.

Alonso's Leverkusen have matured and developed exponentially since that defeat, with the German side, who remain unbeaten across all competitions this term, already wrapping up the Bundesliga title.

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Roma team news

Tammy Abraham is back among the goals for Roma / Francesco Pecoraro/GettyImages

Roma are without the suspended Zeki Celik, so we should see Dutchman Rick Karsdorp come into the side at right-back.

Romelu Lukaku could miss out with a muscle injury, but De Rossi does have Tammy Abraham fit and available again after a lengthy period out.

Chris Smalling is unlikely to feature.

Roma predicted lineup vs Bayer Leverkusen

Roma predicted lineup vs Bayer Leverkusen (4-3-3): Svilar; Karsdorp, Mancini. Ndicka, Spinazzola; Paredes, Cristante, Pellegrini; Dybala, Abraham, El Shaarawy.

Bayer Leverkusen team news

Jonathan Tah picked up a knock against Stuttgart on Saturday / Anadolu/GettyImages

Alonso is without bit-part players Adam Hlozek and Borja Iglesias for Thursday's trip to Rome. There are also concerns surrounding centre-back Jonathan Tah. The German defender suffered a knock late on against Stuttgart at the weekend and is a doubt for the first leg.

Florian Wirtz is a sure bet to return to the XI after appearing off the bench on Saturday, while Victor Boniface will duel Patrik Schick for a place up top.

Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup vs Roma

Bayer Leverkusen predicted lineup vs Roma (3-4-2-1): Hradecky; Kossounou, Tah, Tapsoba; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Wirtz, Adli; Boniface.

Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen score prediction

Daniele De Rossi has called on his tired squad to stand up during crunch time, and the Italians must produce a big performance at the Olimpico to have a chance of getting past the competition's favourites.

The Italian's Roma are more varied than Mourinho's iteration, with the new manager combining traditional and progressive ideals to render the Giallorossi formidable in knockout ties.