Roma vs Real Madrid Prediction and Betting Tips

José Mourinho walks back into the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday night in Rome, this time in the Real Madrid dugout. He spent two and a half seasons in charge of Roma, winning the 2022 Conference League, and the welcome will be loud one way or the other.

The team waiting for him is in better shape than the one he left. Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma are third in Serie A, unbeaten in seven games in all competitions and have conceded just four goals.

Quick Picks

Our Pick: Kylian Mbappé anytime goalscorer

Alternative Pick: Both teams to score: Yes

For the latest Roma vs Real Madrid odds and markets, check out our dedicated Champions League odds page here at Sportsbet. If you haven't backed a scorer before, our explainer on anytime goalscorer betting is a good place to start.

Roma Team News: Svilar Out, Malen Cleared for Europe

Roma's big blow is in goal. Mile Svilar is injured, so Pierluigi Gollini is expected to start, as he did in Sunday's 0-0 draw at Como. Donyell Malen was sent off in that game, but the ban applies to Serie A only, so the league's top scorer, on six goals, isn't suspended for this one.

Real are without Éder Militão and Rodrygo. Vinícius Júnior was sent off against Villarreal and Dean Huijsen against Atlético, but both bans are domestic. Mbappé had a knee concern last week and was declared fit, starting Saturday's 1-0 win over Villarreal.

• Competition: UEFA Champions League, league phase, Matchday 2
• Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
• Date: Thursday 15 October 2026
• Kick-off: 6:00am AEDT (9:00pm local)
• Form (last five, latest first): Roma D-D-W-D-W, Real Madrid W-L-W-W-W

Real Have the Edge in This Fixture

Real Madrid vs Roma has been played 12 times, all in this competition, and Real have won eight. The last four meetings all went Madrid's way, including a 2-0 win at the Olimpico in 2018.

Roma's only home win came in the 2007-08 round of 16. Real haven't been watertight, conceding in seven of their nine games this season.

How to Watch Roma vs Real Madrid in Australia

Kick-off is 6:00am AEDT on Thursday, live on Stan Sport. For a rundown of the markets, see our guide on how to bet on the Champions League.

Roma vs Real Madrid Prediction

Mbappé to score is our pick. He has eight goals in nine games this season, one of them in the Matchday 1 win over Inter. Roma are without their first-choice keeper, and his deputy is facing the best finisher in Europe.

Both teams to score is the alternative. Roma have scored in six of their seven games, and Real haven't kept a clean sheet away from home in La Liga.

The risk is Roma's defence. Gasperini's side have kept four clean sheets already, and Mbappé has blanked in his last two league games. We think the chances will come, and he rarely wastes many.