Preview: Servette vs. Roma - prediction, team news, lineups

Jose Mourinho will return to the dugout for the first time in UEFA competition this season, with his Roma side neck-and-neck with Slavia Prague in chasing top spot in Group G.

Match preview

After a 2-0 defeat against Slavia on matchday four, the head-to-head record between the Czechs and Roma is identical, so it will come down to goal difference if the sides finish level on points.

After Slavia's 6-0 thrashing of Sheriff Tiraspol earlier in the campaign, it is likely Roma will need to record substantial winning margins in their final two games to catch the side currently top.

Slavia's goal difference of plus-eight is a huge advantage over Roma's plus-five, and with both on nine points and highly fancied to win on matchday five and six, it is likely to come down to goal difference.

With Salvatore Foti taking charge on the touchline of all four Roma games in the group stage so far following Mourinho's ban for his behaviour during and after the final of this competition last season, the assistant led Roma to a 4-0 win in the reverse.

However, goals have not been as easy to come by recently, especially away from home, as they have drawn blanks in three straight away games.

That is a continuation of poor away form that has plagued them for much of the season, as the Giallorossi have won just two of their eight away games.

Transferring their form from the Stadio Olimpico, where they have now won seven in a row, into wins away from home will be crucial both domestically and in Europe for Mourinho's side.

Servette have it all to do if they are to make it into the Europa League knockouts, but it is still a faint possibility, as they enter the matchday five points adrift of the top two.

Their superior head-to-head record against Sheriff means a win here will guarantee a Europa Conference League place, and will also take it down to the final matchday in terms of who will take second.

Servette are still in contention thanks to a dramatic late comeback against the Moldovans last time out, where two goals in the final six minutes saw Rene Weiler's side take a vital three points.

Following that victory, the Swiss side have beaten Grasshoppers and Basel domestically to extend their home winning run to six games.

Roma were the last side to beat Servette in any competition back in early October, but home advantage and recent form should give the hosts added confidence.

Servette Europa League form:

L

L

D

W

Servette form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

W

W

Roma Europa League form:

W

W

W

L

Roma form (all competitions):

W

L

W

L

D

W

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Team News

Servette goalkeeper Joel Mall was forced off at half time in the weekend win over Grasshoppers, meaning Jeremy Frick could be forced to deputise here.

Bosnian international Miroslav Stevanovic also missed the game on Sunday after returning from the international break with a minor issue, but he could well return to the starting lineup.

Alexis Antunes and Hussayn Touati both made returns to the matchday squad at the weekend, but Weiler will be without Enzo Crivelli, Jerome Onguene, Leo Besson and David Douline.

There are no new injury concerns for Roma, as Tammy Abraham and Marash Kumbulla remain out with ACL tears, as well as Chris Smalling and Renato Sanches, who are suffering with muscular issues.

Mile Svilar should start in goal, with Mourinho operating a cup goalkeeper system which has seen the Serb start all four group games ahead of number one Rui Patricio.

Romelu Lukaku failed to score in a Europa League match for the first time in 15 games away to Slavia, but after scoring four in the first half against Azerbaijan for Belgium, he set up Paulo Dybala for an important late goal at the weekend and is looking in top form.

Servette possible starting lineup:

Frick; Tsunemoto, Rouiller, Severin, Baron; Stevanovic, Cognat, Ondoua, Kutesa; Guillemenot, Bedia

Roma possible starting lineup:

Svilar; Mancini, Diego Llorente, N'Dicka; Celik, Bove, Paredes, Aouar, Zalewski; Dybala, Lukaku

We say: Servette 1-1 Roma

While embroiled in a very competitive title race domestically with a trip to Young Boys coming up, Servette will look to keep their fantastic home record going here.

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