Only a victory will guarantee Roma's place in the Europa League knockout rounds as they host an already qualified Eintracht Frankfurt. Roma are 21st in the standings and could be in trouble if they lose today while Frankfurt are sitting comfortably in second place.
Sitting just one point above elimination, the Giallorossi must claim all three points to avoid an early European exit for the first time in a decade. Coach Claudio Ranieri was not happy with last week's 1-0 defeat to AZ Alkmaar and with just two wins from seven games the pressure is starting to build. Domestically, Roma’s recent 2-1 triumph over Udinese ended a 13 match winless away streak and provided a much needed morale boost. They now return home where they have lost only three of their last 45 European fixtures. However, their record against German opponents remains concerning, with just three wins in their last 14 encounters.
Eintracht Frankfurt arrive in Rome already assured of a knockout stage place. A draw would secure a top eight finish but a loss could leave them vulnerable as only three points separate them from 10th placed Bodo/Glimt. Recently, Frankfurt won 2-0 over Ferencvaros courtesy of Can Uzun and Hugo Ekitike which pushed them into second place with 16 points. In the Bundesliga a 2-2 draw with Hoffenheim kept Frankfurt in the top three with Ekitike scoring twice before a late equalizer by Adam Hlozek denied them victory. Now, ahead of their first ever meeting with Roma Frankfurt have momentum, winning four of their last five games.
Roma boss Claudio Ranieri is expected to field his strongest lineup after rotating his squad last weekend. Paulo Dybala, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Saelemaekers and Mats Hummels should all return with Mario Hermoso absent as he finalizes a move to Bayer Leverkusen.
For Frankfurt, Omar Marmoush's departure to Manchester City and Elye Wahi’s ineligibility until the knockout rounds leave Hugo Ekitike, Can Uzun and Mario Götze as the likely attacking trio. Ansgar Knauff is also in contention while former Roma loanee Rasmus Kristensen is set to feature on the right flank.
Roma possible lineup: Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Kone, Paredes, Angelino; Dybala, Pellegrini; Dovbyk
Eintracht Frankfurt possible lineup: Trapp; Collins, Koch, Theate; Kristensen, Skhiri, Larsson, Knauff; Uzun, Götze; Ekitike
