Roma have been an entertaining side to watch under Gian Piero Gasperini, and they are battling near the top of the Italian top flight with four wins and two draws from their opening five matches.

They have scored 14 goals in that time. Even last season, Gasperini guided the Romans to a third-place finish, only behind Inter Milan and Roma, which shows how they are an incredibly competitive side now.

They have pulled off some impressive results already this season, including a 2-1 win against Atalanta, and a 2-2 draw against Inter. Over 2.5 has landed in four of their seven matches across all competitions this season. 

Goals have also been flying in when Real Madrid are playing - over 2.5 goals has landed in eight out of ten of their fixtures this term.

Roma are averaging 5.2 corners per game in Serie A this season, in addition to 18.7 shots per match. They landed this selection against Inter Milan, with 18 shots and four corners, and Atalanta.

Gasperini prefers a 3-4-3 system, and he wants his wingbacks to be positive and make overlapping runs. Roma always look to progress play through their wide players and send crosses into the box, which brings corners into the game. 

Real Madrid come into this clash as favourites, but this could be a tough night for them, especially at the Stadio Olimpico. The hosts are unlikely to sit back and absorb pressure, especially considering how Real Madrid have already lost two of their four away matches this season.

Paulo Dybala has made his return from injury recently, and he has been one of Roma’s most influential players in the final third. The Argentine international has accumulated 23 shots from seven appearances, with eight of those efforts hitting the target. He has also provided four assists, which is the highest in the Roma squad.

Dybala has been playing just behind Donyell Malen, in an inside forward role which has given him the freedom to find pockets of space in the final third. He is the designated free-kick taker for Roma, and could also be on penalty duties. Dybala had an injury-hit previous campaign, but he looks back to his best this term, and he will be hoping to make an impact against Real Madrid midweek.

Gianluca Mancini has benefitted from the back three system under Gasperini, as he has more cover defensively. Mancini likes to be aggressive in his challenges, and step out to try and contest duels.

He has committed ten fouls in seven appearances this season, averaging 1.62 fouls per 90. The Italian international will be playing on the same side as Vinicius Junior on Wednesday night, and that is a matchup to keep an eye on. 

The Brazilian is averaging 3.21 fouls drawn per 90 this season across all competitions, and he has earned a reputation for being a frustrating player to come up against.

Mancini has shown a tendency to lose his head at times - he picked up 12 yellow cards and one red in 45 appearances across all competitions last season.

Jude Bellingham is another player who has been adept at drawing contact for Los Blancos, and he should also find duels against Mancini when he drifts over to the left. The Englishman is averaging 3.17 fouls drawn per 90 this campaign, and he has drawn multiple free-kicks in eight of his nine appearances overall. 

Bellingham also had an average of 2.42 fouls drawn per 90 last season across all competitions - he is a strong carrier of the ball, and he sees plenty of involvement in midfield. Considering Roma are averaging 13.3 fouls per game this season, it looks like an excellent matchup for him to be fouled.

Roma drew 1-1 with Galatasaray in their first Champions League matches, with the sides sharing 2.44 xG.

Domestically, 4 of their 6 games have had 3 or more goals. Largely thanks to Donyell Malen, who has scored 20 times in 24 games for the Italians. 

This selection landed in Madrid’s opening European match as they beat Inter 2-1. They shipped a huge 2.48 xG that game, so it’s clear they can be got at.

In La Liga, their games have averaged 3.38 goals and six of eight have had 3+, with five of them seeing both teams score.

These sides met last year in that incredible 6 goal thriller in Paris which saw PSG win 4-2.

The Parisians netted 6 on matchday 1, but still conceded to minnows Slovan Bratislava who actually managed 0.98 xG and 4 shots on target.

City have scored 11 in their last 3 and their Premier League games have averaged 3.50 goals.

They’ve also conceded in half of their league games, including shipping 3 at home to Sunderland.

They did keep Porto at bay but PSG are a big step up in quality, especially in attack, and they will get on the scoresheet in Manchester.

Betis played out a 7 goal thriller at the weekend and produced one of the best games of matchday 1 with a 3-2 away win in Lille where they produced a hefty 1.92 xG.

Troy Parrott appears to be getting his starts in Europe atm. The irishman scored in France and netted 4 times over the international break.

Porto struggled against City, but that’s to be expected.

Their last four league games have seen BTTS land and every game they’ve played this season has had at least two goals.

They’ve scored 20 times in 8 domestic games with an average xG of 1.84.

Roma’s big concern is the loss of Mile Svilar to injury. The keeper’s a huge part of their unbeaten start.

He’s kept three clean sheets with an 81% save rate. And was key in the 1-1 draw with Fenerbache. Goalscorer from that game Bryan Cristante is also a doubt.

Backup Pierlugi Gollini has played one full 90 since January. Mbappe & Co could put him under serious pressure.

PSG are typically slow starters in this, finishing outside the top 8 in the last two league phases.

So far this season they’ve kept one clean sheet in eight and have failed to win half of those. I don’t think they’re firing on all cylinders.

City have won every game so far and I loved the attitude against Liverpool. They look a side with a point to prove. This is the first home game since the charges and Pep is set to attend too, I fancy a statement performance. 

Bratislava lost 6-1 to PSG in the opener and have won just one of their last five league games.

They didn’t even reach the knockouts of the Conference last year, this is a big step up.

I like Stuttgart, they won their opener and the trio of Stiller, Undav and Demirovic is one to keep on side this season.