Preview: Roma Women vs. St Polten Women - prediction, team news, lineups

Meanwhile, the visitors will move level on points with second-placed Roma if they can claim their second victory of the group stage.

Match preview

After progressing through qualifying, Roma began the group stage with a win over Slavia Prague, before they came from behind to beat St Polten 4-3 on matchday two.

In their first Champions League campaign, they demonstrated that they could compete with one of the best teams in Europe when they drew 1-1 at home to Wolfsburg.

Unfortunately for Roma, they could not avoid defeat against Wolfsburg for a second time, losing 4-2 to the German champions last week.

That scoreline was replicated at the weekend when Serie A leaders Roma were beaten by the current Italian champions Juventus, which reduced their lead at the top of the Italian topflight to three points.

After suffering consecutive defeats, Roma will try to return to winning ways against St Polten, and a victory would guarantee them a place in the last 16.

Like their hosts, St Polten had to negotiate the qualifying rounds to book their place in the Champions League main draw.

After being thrashed 4-0 by Wolfsburg on matchday one, St Polten would have been disappointed to give up the chance of recording a victory over Roma, when they gave up a two-goal lead to eventually lose against the Serie A side.

Despite losing to Roma, Friday's visitors managed to claim their first victory of the group stage in their away meeting with Slavia Prague, thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Maria Mikolajova.

Although they secured a 1-0 victory on that occasion, they had to settle for a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture against Slavia Prague last week, ensuring St Polten sit in third place with three points separating them from Roma.

The Austrian side know that they must win on Friday to set up a dramatic final round of matches, but they will be eliminated if they fail to beat Roma.

Roma Women Women's Champions League form:

Roma Women (all competitions) form:

St Polten Women Women's Champions League form:

St Polten Women (all competitions) form:

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without the services of Lucia Di Guglielmo, who has been sidelined since September.

Despite losing to Juventus at the weekend, Roma boss Alessandro Spugna could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup.

Valentina Giacinti has scored 10 goals in all competitions this term, and she will be looking to continue her impressive form when she leads the line on Friday.

As for the visitors, they are expected to name an unchanged backline, with Leonarda Balog set to partner Jennifer Klein in central defence, while Julia Tabotta and Lainie Fuchs will operate as the two full-backs.

Jasmin Eder is expected to return to the side after missing last week's draw with Slavia Prague through suspension.

Stefanie Enzinger is set to retain her place up front, and the forward will be aiming to score her first Champions League goal of the season.

Roma Women possible starting lineup:

Ceasar; Bartoli, Wenninger, Linari, Minami; Greggi, Giugliano, Andressa; Serturini, Haavi, Giacinti

St Polten Women possible starting lineup:

Schluter; Tabotta, Balog, Klein, Fuchs; Wenger, Eder; Zver, Mikolajova, Brunnthaler; Enzinger

We say: Roma Women 3-1 St Polten Women

Previews by email