Sports Mole previews Tuesday’s friendly clash between Coventry City and Roma, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Coventry City conclude their preparations for the new Championship campaign with a behind-closed-doors friendly against Roma on Tuesday evening.
Meanwhile, Roma make the journey to St George’s Park in Burton-upon-Trent with a longer wait before they get their Serie A season underway.
Match preview
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Despite already having five friendly fixtures under their belt, Coventry have made the decision to take on a sixth just four days prior to the new Championship campaign.
Mark Robins may feel that another match can only benefit his vastly-changed squad with a number of notable incomings and outgoings occurred during the off-season.
The latest notable addition to the Sky Blues ranks is that of West Bromwich Albion forward Brandon Thomas-Asante, who arrived on Thursday.
He came on from the final 30 minutes of the 2-1 defeat to Werder Bremen at the weekend, Coventry having now suffered two defeats in three games.
Nevertheless, Robins and his players have the standout 3-0 triumph over Everton on their record, and that can only provide encouragement ahead of their toughest test of the summer.
Meanwhile, Roma have played four fixtures with Daniele De Rossi having also made numerous changes to his senior ranks at Stadio Olimpico.
Their only success is a 6-1 win over Italian minnows Latina, with a narrow defeat to Toulouse sandwiched between draws against Kosice and Olympiacos.
Although there have been an array of outgoings, the likes of left-back Angelino and forward Artem Dovbyk are among the players to move to the capital.
Roma follow this fixture with a trip to Liverpool to face Everton before they commence their Serie A campaign with a visit to Cagliari on August 18.
Coventry City friendly form:
Roma friendly form:
Team News
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Robins will likely make numerous changes to his Coventry XI in order to sharpen the fitness of some of the players who only made substitute appearances at the weekend.
Milan van Ewijk, Liam Kitching, Jay Dasilva, Josh Eccles, Haji Wright and Thomas-Asante will all expect to earn a starting role.
De Rossi should take a similar approach with his Roma side with a host of high-profile names having only made second-half outings versus Olympiacos.
Chris Smalling, Marash Kumbulla, Paulo Dybala and Dovbyk are among the players who should earn recalls.
Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan will also hope to feature between the sticks after his summer transfer.
Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Collins; Van Ewijk, Kitching, Binks, Dasilva, Torp, Allen, Eccles, Wright, Thomas-Asante, Palmer
Roma possible starting lineup:
Svilar; Celik, Smalling, Kumbulla, Angelino; Le Fee, Cristante; Soule, Dybala, Zalewski; Dovbyk
We say: Coventry City 1-3 Roma
With Coventry perhaps erring on the side of caution with the team that they select for this contest, we can only back Roma to come out on top, exploiting the differences in quality when the Sky Blues will likely mix and match with their lineup.
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