Sports Mole previews Thursday’s Women’s Champions League clash between Wolfsburg Women and Roma Women, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
After drawing 1-1 in Italy two weeks ago, Wolfsburg Women and Roma women will both be looking to claim all three points when they face off on Thursday.
Although both teams are currently in the top two of their Women’s Champions League group, Wolfsburg are in pole position due to their superior goal difference.
Match preview
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Wolfsburg have done light work in their first two Champions League games, having followed a 4-0 win over St Polten with a 2-0 away win against Slavia Prague.
Those results helped Wolfsburg start the 2022-23 season with an 11-game winning streak in all competitions before having to settle for a 1-1 draw with Roma.
Ewa Pajor equalized in the 33rd minute after Valentina Giacinti had given Roma an early lead, but neither team could find a winner in the second half.
Since the draw against Roma, Tommy StrootThe team beat Cologne 4-0 and secured a comfortable 5-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend.
Wolfsburg are now unbeaten in 14 competitive games this season, and they will be looking to register a third straight win on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Roma have yet to lose in their first-ever Women’s Champions League campaign, and their impressive form has left them on course to qualify for the knockout stages.
Roma’s European journey began in the qualifying rounds, where they had to beat three teams, including a penalty shootout victory over Paris FC.
After starting the group stage with a narrow 1-0 win over Slavia Prague, Roma looked set to face their first Champions League defeat when trailing 2-0 in their away encounter with St Polten, but she showed great determination to fight back and claim a spectacular victory.
Whereas Alessandro SpugnaThe side showed they belonged on the European stage by drawing with the German champions on matchday three, they are also six points clear of Juventus at the top of Serie A.
As they dream of winning their maiden Serie A title, Roma will want to keep their momentum going as they seek to extend their unbeaten run to 16 games in all competitions.
Wolfsburg Women’s Champions League form:
Wolfsburg Women form (all competitions):
Roma Women’s Champions League form:
Roma Women form (all competitions):
Team News
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After beating Frankfurt 5-0 at the weekend, Stroot might be tempted to name an unchanged line-up for Thursday’s game.
Catherine Hendrich will continue its central defensive partnership with Dominique Janssenand the pair will be aiming to help their side retain a third consecutive clean sheet at home in all competitions.
Jill Roord scored a hat-trick on Saturday, and she will operate behind Pajor, who has racked up goals in all competitions this term.
Like their hosts, Roma could also select an unchanged starting XI, which would see Camellia Caesar keep its place between the posts.
The goalkeeper will be protected by the pair of centre-backs of Carina Wenninger and Elena Linariwhile Elisa Bartoli and Moeka Minami will work as the two full-backs.
Giacinti will be looking to add to the 10 goals she has scored this season when she leads the line against Wolfsburg.
Possible starting line-up for Wolfsburg women:
Frohms; Wilms, Hendrich, Janssen, Rauch; Lattwein, Oberdorf; Popp, Roord, Huth; Pajor
Possible starting line-up for Roma women:
Caesar; Bartoli, Wenninger, Linari, Minami; Serturini, Giugliano, Greggi; Andressa, Haavi, Giacinti
We say: Wolfsburg Women 2-1 Roma Women
After both sides drew in Italy, we expect another close game on Thursday, but we believe Wolfsburg will take full advantage of home advantage to claim a narrow victory.
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