Torino vs Roma prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups - 18 January 2026
One of the fixtures of Serie A matchday 21 will be played on Sunday at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin, where the local side Torino will host Roma from the capital. Let’s take a look at a betting preview for this clash, which has become a heated rivalry after two victories by the Granata earlier this season.
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Match preview
Torino stunned everyone by knocking Roma out of the Coppa Italia, claiming a second head-to-head win this season—both at the Stadio Olimpico. Marco Baroni’s squad remains one of the most unpredictable in Serie A: after slip-ups against mid-table sides, they often deliver eye-catching performances against the favorites. This inconsistency has become the hallmark of the Bulls, who play with reckless abandon and emotion at home, though it doesn’t always bring the desired results.
There’s both good and bad news ahead of this encounter. Maripán is set to return, but Ismaily remains doubtful, and Giovanni Simeone is definitely ruled out. Up front, the team will have to rely on Zapata or improvise with Ngonge. Yet the main concern is the team’s shaky defense at home: 18 goals conceded in 10 matches—the worst record in the league.
Roma haven’t impressed in 2026 so far; Gasperini’s men have already suffered two defeats in January, including the aforementioned painful Coppa Italia exit at the hands of Torino. The Giallorossi’s problems run deeper than just squad issues—there’s a lack of system and cohesion, with the coaching staff demanding reinforcements while the board hesitates to respond. Gasperini has been forced to turn to youth, and Roma’s transfer activity has been limited to targeted moves.
New signings Malen and Vaz are now available, but Dovbyk is out for two months—a big blow to their attacking threat. On paper, the defense looks solid—Roma have conceded the fewest goals in Serie A—but the underlying stats tell a different story. According to xGA, Roma should have conceded twice as many, especially in away matches. So another trip to Turin promises to be anything but straightforward.
Probable lineups
- Torino: Paleari, Coco, Ismaily, Maripán, Aboukhlal, Gineitis, Ilkhan, Vlasic, Lazaro, Adams, Zapata
- Roma: Svilar, Mancini, N'Dicka, Hermoso Canseco, Celik, Cristante, Koné, Wesley, Sule, Dybala, Malen
Match facts and head-to-head
- Six of the last eight meetings between these sides have seen under 2.5 total goals.
- In four of Torino’s last five matches, they’ve conceded two or more goals.
- Roma have won seven of their last fifteen visits to Turin.
Prediction
Torino will be fired up to repeat their cup heroics and claim a third consecutive positive result against Roma. The hosts still have plenty of defensive vulnerabilities, but at home they play with courage and can scrap for a result. Roma, despite their difficulties, are still fighting for a top-four spot and will not want to lose to the Bulls again. Expect a hard-fought contest and a draw, with both sides having chances to win but ultimately sharing the spoils.
