Roma get the new Serie A season under way on Saturday afternoon when the welcome Udinese to the Stadio Olimpico. The giallorossi will have one eye on next Tuesday’s Champions League play-off second leg against Porto and coach Luciano Spalletti looks set to make changes to his starting XI.
 

An injury to Alessandro Florenzi means a home debut is likely for new signing Bruno Peres and Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny could return between the posts. Another of the summer recruits, Juan Jesus, could drop to the bench with Emerson Palmieri slotting in at left-back. Thomas Vermaelen should keep his place at centre-half despite last Wednesday’s sending off in Portugal but Daniele De Rossi may be rested ahead of next week’s return with Leandro Paredes deputising. There could be a start for Stephan El Shaarawy as Spalletti reverts to a 4-2-3-1 formation which means a place on the bench for Dutchman Kevin Strootman.  

The visitors have doubts over defender Samir who may only make the substitutes bench so Felipe is likely to play as one of the three centre-halves in a 3-5-2 formation. The bianconeri frontline should be led by Zapata and Penaranda. Midfielder Silvan Widmer, a reported summer target for Roma, should line-up against them on Saturday.
 

PROBABLE STARTING LINE-UPS
 

Roma (4-2-3-1) Szczesny; Bruno Peres, Manolas, Vermaelen, Emerson; Paredes, Nainggolan; Salah, Perotti, El Shaarawy; Dzeko

Subs: Alisson, Lobont, Fazio,Juan Jesus, Strootman, De Rossi, Gerson, Vainquer, Ricci, Totti, Iturbe ​

Injured: Rudiger, Mario Rui, Torosidis, Nura

Suspended: nil
 

Udinese (3-5-2) Karnezis; Felipe, Danilo, Angella; Armero, De Paul, Fofana, Badu, Widmer; Zapata, Penaranda

Subs: Scuffet, Hertaux, Samir, Jankto, Edenilson, Ali Adnan,Kone, Balic,Hallfredsson, Lodi, Matos, Perica
​

Injured: Wague

Suspended: Thereaux


Steve Mitchell @barafundler