AEK Athens FC vs AS Roma Predicted Lineups for UEFA Champions League

AEK Athens FC welcome AS Roma to the Allwyn Arena in Athens for a UEFA Champions League League Stage clash on 19 January 2027. With the competition using a league-phase format, every fixture carries weight in the overall table, and both sides will be eager to start this phase strongly. AEK Athens FC are currently listed 1st in the League Phase table with 0 points and 0 matches played, while AS Roma sit 28th, also on 0 points, reflecting seeding and early positioning rather than results.

AEK arrive with encouraging recent Champions League form, showing a record of one win and one draw in their last two league-phase outings, and a form string of “WD” in the standings. They have scored 4 goals and conceded none across those two matches, underlining a compact defensive base combined with clinical attacking moments. AS Roma, by contrast, are yet to play in this Champions League campaign according to the available data, so their continental form is a blank slate, making predicted lineups and tactical expectations particularly important for bettors and analysts.

With no official team sheets released yet, this preview focuses on predicted lineups built from the registered squads, recent usage trends, and key individual statistics. These expected starting lineups will shape the tactical battle, and understanding them is crucial before the official lineups today are confirmed closer to kickoff.

AEK Athens FC Team News & Expected Lineups Today

AEK Athens FC come into this tie in strong early Champions League form. Their league-phase record shows one home win and one away draw, with 4 goals scored and none conceded. The form string “WD” in the standings and “DW” in the wider league statistics suggests a side that has been difficult to beat and efficient in both boxes. There are no injury or suspension listings for AEK in the current data, so the assumption is that the coach has a full squad available. No significant absences reported.

Given their recent results and the fact that their most common Champions League shape so far has been recorded as a 4-4-2 across two matches, AEK are expected to stick to a similar, balanced structure. That means a compact back line, a hard‑working midfield, and a front pairing built around their standout attacker Barnabás Varga. The expected lineup should blend experience at the back with creative midfielders and a focal point in attack to exploit Roma’s lack of recent Champions League rhythm.

AEK Athens FC Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI: (4-4-2)
GK: T. Strakosha
DF: C. Lykogiannis; H. Moukoudi; D. Vida; L. Rota
MF: M. Gaćinović; K. Kairinen; L. Majer; P. Mantalos
FW: B. Varga; L. Jović

This predicted starting lineup leans on AEK’s strongest spine. In goal, T. Strakosha is the most established option from the available keepers and fits a side that has yet to concede in this Champions League run. At the back, the experienced pairing of H. Moukoudi and D. Vida offers aerial strength and leadership, flanked by C. Lykogiannis and L. Rota, who can provide width when AEK push forward while maintaining a solid defensive block.

In midfield, M. Gaćinović and K. Kairinen provide work rate, pressing, and ball progression, with L. Majer and P. Mantalos adding creativity and technical quality between the lines. Mantalos, in particular, is a natural conduit between midfield and attack and should be heavily involved in chance creation, even though no separate assist stats are listed. Up front, the key figure is Barnabás Varga. He is currently AEK’s top scorer in the Champions League with 2 goals in just 114 minutes, boasting a strong rating of 7.95 and efficient shooting numbers (3 shots, 2 on target). Partnering him with L. Jović gives AEK a blend of penalty‑box presence and link‑up play, making this front two a central feature of their attacking game plan.

AS Roma Team News & Expected Lineups Today

AS Roma enter this Champions League League Stage fixture without any recorded matches yet in the competition this season. Their league statistics show 0 games played, 0 goals scored, and 0 conceded, with no form string registered in the standings. There are no injuries or suspensions listed for Roma in the available data, so the squad appears to be at full strength on paper. No significant absences reported.

With no recent Champions League form to reference, predicting Roma’s lineups today relies on the balance of their squad profile. The group is rich in defensive options and midfielders with top‑level experience, as well as a forward line featuring the star quality of Paulo Dybala and the pace of Donyell Malen. Without a recorded default formation in the competition, the expectation is an attacking‑minded shape that can still protect the back line, likely with a solid central midfield three and fluid movement in the final third.

AS Roma Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: M. Svilar
DF: L. Balerdi; Hermoso; G. Mancini; N. Molina
MF: B. Cristante; M. de Roon; L. Pellegrini
FW: P. Dybala; D. Malen; M. Soulé

M. Svilar is the logical pick in goal from Roma’s three keepers, bringing Champions League‑level experience. In defense, L. Balerdi and Hermoso offer a blend of ball‑playing ability and physicality, while G. Mancini adds aggression and leadership. N. Molina is a natural fit on the flank, capable of providing width and overlapping runs while maintaining defensive discipline, important against an AEK side that has been efficient in transition.

The midfield trio of B. Cristante, M. de Roon, and L. Pellegrini gives Roma both steel and creativity. Cristante and de Roon are proven ball‑winners who can shield the defense and recycle possession, while Pellegrini is the primary advanced midfielder, expected to link with the forward line and arrive late in the box. Up front, Paulo Dybala remains the marquee attacking name, capable of operating between the lines and drifting into dangerous pockets. Donyell Malen adds direct running and pace, stretching the AEK back line, and M. Soulé offers technical quality and one‑v‑one threat from wide areas. Together, this front three should test AEK’s previously watertight defense, even though Roma have no Champions League goals recorded yet this season.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no injuries or suspensions recorded for either side, this match is shaped more by tactical choices and form than by enforced absences. Both coaches can select from their full registered squads, increasing competition for places and raising the overall intensity of the fixture. The lack of missing key players means that any edge will likely come from cohesion, recent European rhythm, and how well each team’s predicted lineup matches up in key areas.

AEK Athens FC Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

AS Roma Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

AEK Athens FC’s recent Champions League numbers point to a side that starts fast and defends with discipline. They have scored 4 goals in 2 league‑phase matches, all at home, with a high average of 4.0 goals per home game and none conceded. Their goal‑timing profile shows early impact, with half of their goals coming in the opening 15 minutes and another in the 16–30 range. That suggests an aggressive early press and a willingness to commit numbers forward at the start of each half, supported by a compact block that has yet to be breached. The predicted 4‑4‑2 shape, with Varga and Jović leading the line, should allow AEK to press Roma’s build‑up from the front while still maintaining two solid banks of four behind the ball.

AS Roma, with no Champions League matches played yet this season, are harder to profile statistically, but the squad composition hints at a team that can dominate possession and control central areas. The expected midfield trio of Cristante, de Roon, and Pellegrini is well suited to dictating tempo and breaking AEK’s rhythm. Roma’s front three of Dybala, Malen, and Soulé will look to exploit spaces between AEK’s lines, especially if the Greek side push their full‑backs high to support attacks. The key tactical battle will likely be Roma’s ability to play through AEK’s initial press and pin back the home full‑backs, versus AEK’s capacity to transition quickly and find Varga early, using his physical presence and form as a finisher. With AEK’s comparison indices showing a 100% attack and form index against Roma’s 0% in those categories, the hosts have the early statistical edge, but Roma’s individual quality could tilt the balance if they settle quickly.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Outcome models rate this match as extremely balanced, with the win probabilities split evenly at 33% for AEK Athens FC, 33% for the draw, and 33% for AS Roma. There is no clear predicted winner, and the advice line explicitly notes that no firm prediction is available. AEK’s strong early Champions League form – unbeaten in two league‑phase games, with 4 goals scored and none conceded – suggests they are well prepared and confident at home. Roma’s lack of recorded Champions League action this season introduces uncertainty but also underlines the potential for their quality to emerge as the competition progresses.

Given the evenly matched probabilities and AEK’s defensive solidity, a tight contest is expected. With no specific projected goal counts provided, the most reasonable verdict is a low‑scoring draw, reflecting both AEK’s resilience at the back and Roma’s potential to nick a goal through their high‑calibre forwards once they find rhythm in Europe.

Predicted Outcome: AEK Athens FC 1–1 AS Roma

How to Watch AEK Athens FC vs AS Roma Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: Local sports broadcaster / streaming platform (check regional listings)
• UK: Major pay-TV sports channel or official UEFA streaming partner
• USA / North America: National sports network or dedicated soccer streaming service
• South America: Regional cable sports channel or OTT football platform
• MENA: Pan-regional satellite sports network or official digital broadcaster