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Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa Conference League clash between Roma and Trabzonspor, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Jose Mourinho will look to extend his 100% record as Roma manager on Thursday evening when his side face Trabzonspor in the second leg of their Europa Conference League playoff tie.

The Italian giants hold a 2-1 advantage over opponents who have prevailed in each of their opening two contests in Super Lig.

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Match preview

Roma have not had it all their own way during their first two matches of the season, being drawn into scraps with Trabzonspor and Fiorentina respectively.

However, Mourinho will be delighted with the character shown by his side, particularly in claiming a late win in Turkey last week.

Aided by two assists from new arrival Tammy Abraham, I Giallorossi followed that performance with a 3-1 triumph over Fiorentina in Serie A.

While there was a time when it appeared that Roma would concede control after being at a man and goal advantage, they finished strongly to record the perfect start on the domestic front.

Bigger tests are to come for a club who are still trying to do business in the transfer market but for now, Mourinho will feel that everything is trending in the right direction.

Despite their narrow defeat at the Senol Gunes Stadium last week, the same can be said of Trabzonspor after two victories in Turkey's top flight.

Five players have already chipped in with a combination of two goals and assists, Anthony Nwakaeme particularly catching the eye on the left flank.

With Andreas Cornelius joining the scoring charts with a goal against Roma last week, Abdullah Avci can only be optimistic about the rest of the season.

That said, Trabzonspor have not won a European fixture during normal time in 10 attempts, their last success coming away at AEK Athens in August 2019.

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Team News

After making just one change at the weekend, Mourinho will give consideration to making more alterations for this contest.

Carles Perez and Eldor Shomurodov are alternatives to Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Abraham respectively, but Nicolo Zaniolo should start ahead of serving a ban at the weekend.

While Chris Smalling is unlikely to be risked on the back of suffering a thigh injury, Marash Kumbulla is an option in the middle of the defence.

Despite the three-day turnaround, Avci may select the same Trabzonspor XI which started the game with Sivasspor.

Cornelius is pushing for a start in the final third, but the former Cardiff City man will likely be named among the replacements.

Roma possible starting lineup:
Patricio; Karsdorp, Mancini, Ibanez, Vina; Cristante, Veretout; Zaniolo, Pellegrini, Perez; Shomurodov

Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Peres, Ie, Hugo, Koybasi; Ozdemir, Hamsik; Gervinho, Bakasetas, Nwakaeme; Djaniny

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We say: Roma 2-1 Trabzonspor

With Roma yet to keep a clean sheet this season, Trabzonspor will fancy their chances of causing the upset at Stadio Olimpico.

However, Mourinho's men have found some form in the final third, leading us to predict another narrow win for the Italian side.

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