Roma need points against a Slovan side that cannot find the net
Slovan Bratislava travel to the Stadio Olimpico to face Roma on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, in matchday three of the Champions League league phase. Kick-off is at 21:00 CEST and Sandro Schärer is the referee. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have one point after a 1-1 draw at Fenerbahçe and a 4-3 home defeat to Real Madrid. Yaya Touré’s Slovan are bottom of the 36-team table with no points and a goal difference of minus eight after losing 6-1 at PSG and 3-0 at home to Stuttgart.
“The table forces us to take points, but we mustn’t think it’s easy.” – Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini (translated)
Predicted lineups: Roma vs Slovan Bratislava
Roma are without first-choice goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who has a stress fracture in his toe, so Pierluigi Gollini starts again. Paulo Dybala (muscle), Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné are also out, while Donyell Malen is available after a domestic suspension. Gasperini has confirmed he will rotate, with Napoli away on Saturday. Slovan are missing captain Andraž Šporar, who is ill and did not travel, as well as Čerepkai (back), and Adam Griger is not in the squad. The Slovan graphic shows the starting XI from Saturday’s 3-0 derby win at Spartak Trnava, which included Griger.
Roma Team News & Preview
Roma’s European campaign has started with goals at both ends: a 1-1 in Istanbul and a seven-goal defeat to Real Madrid. Domestically they look more solid, with clean sheets in two of their last three Serie A games, most recently a 2-0 win at Torino, and a 2-2 draw with Inter in between. Gasperini has set a target of around ten or eleven points for the league phase, which makes this a game Roma cannot afford to drop points in.
The main caveat is the goalkeeper. Svilar is out for at least a month, and Gollini has to step in. Rotation is also coming, but even a changed Roma side should have far more of the ball than Slovan, who have barely had 30% possession in this competition.
What works for or against Roma
- Two clean sheets in their last three Serie A games.
- Conceded five goals in two Champions League games.
- Mile Svilar is out, so Gollini starts in goal.
- Gasperini has confirmed rotation ahead of Napoli away.
Slovan Bratislava Team News & Preview
Slovan’s numbers in the Champions League are the worst in the competition across the board. They have taken 24 shots in two games but hit the target only five times, average 0.06 xG per shot, and have had 31.8% of the ball. Goalkeeper Dominik Takáč has made 14 saves, more than any other keeper. Against Stuttgart, eight of their 15 shots came from outside the box, while Stuttgart had 12 of their 16 from inside it.
Domestically they are in better shape, fourth in the table after a 3-0 derby win at Spartak Trnava on Saturday. But they now travel to Rome without Šporar, their captain and main striker. Touré says he believes in his players and has enough quality to cause Roma some trouble.
What works for or against Slovan Bratislava
- One goal in two Champions League games and 0.06 xG per shot.
- Andraž Šporar is ill and did not travel.
- Nine goals conceded in two Champions League games.
- A 3-0 derby win at Spartak Trnava on Saturday.
Roma vs Slovan Bratislava Odds
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AS Roma vs. Slovan Bratislava Stats Comparison
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AS Roma vs. Slovan Bratislava Form Guide
AS Roma Form, Stats & Data
Roma’s European figures are shaped by a Real Madrid side that scored four, so I would not read too much into the 2.50 goals conceded per game. More worrying is the modest 0.95 xG per game going forward, although that came against Fenerbahçe and Madrid rather than a side as passive as Slovan.
Slovan Bratislava Form, Stats & Data
Slovan concede 3.40 xG per game and create 0.75, the lowest team rating in the competition backs that up, and the one goal they have scored came in a 6-1 defeat. Without Šporar the attack loses its most experienced finisher, which makes it hard to see where a goal comes from against even a rotated Roma side.
Roma vs Slovan Bratislava: Prediction & Betting Tip
The straight win at 1.12 is too short to recommend, so I am adding the clean sheet. Slovan have produced the weakest attacking numbers in the Champions League, take most of their shots from distance, and now play without their captain and main striker. Roma have kept two clean sheets in their last three league games and should have the ball for long spells.
The obvious danger is Roma’s defensive record in this competition, five goals conceded in two games, plus the fact that Gollini is deputising in goal and Gasperini is rotating. One counter or set piece would be enough to beat this bet. I still think Slovan’s lack of threat makes a Roma clean sheet the likeliest outcome. My main bet is Roma to win to nil at 1.91 with Winz. My correct-score pick is 3-0.