Roma retain a functioning connection around Soulé and Malen against a Cagliari midfield losing its main technical passer. Dortmund have several ways to turn repeated pressure into box entries against Bremen. Hamburg and Frankfurt face a more interrupted attacking contest, with the first forward connection especially important for HSV.
Roma's pressure has produced combinations, rebounds and set-piece chances. Soulé and Malen linked against Napoli, and Malen supplied Pisilli against Slovan after Pellegrini had gone off. Cagliari's expected Mina return improves the central block, making movement around the receiver especially relevant.
Winks left the Bologna match injured and is unavailable, with Pisacane acknowledging that his technical role has no equivalent. Roma's expected rotation retains the demonstrated attacking connection, while Dybala's possible bench return is additional rather than essential. I expect Roma to recover territory repeatedly and make the visitors defend successive actions. That's why I'm siding with Roma to win.
Dortmund created chances against Bremen's compact shape in their recent meeting through pressure, recoveries and corners. Veerman's delivery and Guirassy's reception provide one route; the Bellingham–Beier changes supplied another against Frankfurt. Bremen then conceded twice to headed crosses at Mainz.
Bensebaini's cup suspension brings Gadou into Dortmund's defence according to Kovač. Bremen's possible rotation of Füllkrug and Weiser remains a selection estimate, so the case rests on Dortmund's demonstrated supply. I expect patient pressure followed by useful changes from the bench. That's why I'm siding with Dortmund to win.
HSV's difficulty keeping the ball after regains was clear at Paderborn. Frankfurt can work through crosses and short return passes, but their attack also lost continuity after the interval at Dortmund. That puts the quality of each first outlet ahead of raw possession.
Vieira and Nadir were injured in HSV's latest match, and Poulsen also misses this tie. Lokonga and Grönbaek offer replacement connections, while Daka is cleared with his workload being managed; Tangvik's goalkeeper start is confirmed. I expect a fragmented opening and more selective chances as the attacking combinations develop. That's why I'm siding with a restrained scoring game between Hamburg and Frankfurt.
