Overview
Recent positive results are helping AS Roma temporarily overcome the crisis. In Serie A, a 4-1 victory over Lecce helped Roma move up to mid-table. Meanwhile, a 2-2 draw at Tottenham also helped them gain 6 points after 5 matches in the Europa League this season.
Overall, Roma still have a chance to make the play-off group if they can play to their potential in the rest of the group stage.
As for Braga, their 3-game winning streak officially ended after a 2-2 draw with Estoril Praia in round 13 of the Portuguese national championship. Notably, they were the team with a big advantage with a 2-goal lead but still could not win.
However, Braga still has 24 points on the domestic league table, as well as 7 points in this year's Europa League season.
In terms of head-to-head record, Braga lost both of their previous encounters with Roma. Those were two defeats in the Europa League in the 2020-2021 season. Notably, they had to pick the ball out of the net 5 times and scored only 1 goal.
Roma have won eight of their last 10 Europa League games at home at Stadio Olympico, and there is reason to believe that Claudio Ranieri's side will have a win to improve their record in this year's Europa League.
Human resources situation
With the priority being to build momentum in Serie A, Ranieri could make some changes.
Striker Paulo Dybala and veteran defender Mats Hummels are likely to be rested, while Nicola Zalewski, Mario Hermoso and Lorenzo Pellegrini are likely to start.
Bryan Cristante and Zeki Celik are the injured absentees for the home side, while Artem Dovbyk remains doubtful.
On the other side of the front line, Paulo Oliveira and Rodrigo Zalazar are injury concerns for the visitors ahead of the trip to Rome.
Expected lineup:
AS Roma: Svilar, Mancini, Hermoso, Ndicka, Abdulhamid, Le Fee, Paredes, Zalewski, Pellegrini, Pisilli, Shomurodov.
Braga: Matheus, Ferreira, Niakate, Arrey-Mbi, Fernandes, Carvalho, Moutinho, Gomez, Horta, Bruma, Ouazzani.
The match between AS Roma and Braga takes place at 0:45 am on December 13 (Vietnam time).
