Fulham welcome Italian giants AS Roma to Craven Cottage on Thursday evening after an impressive start to their Europa League campaign.

Experienced manager Roy Hodgson has done excellently to balance his Premier League priorities with the demands of Europe, having rotated his side on a regular basis this season.

Hodgson insists the league remains his side’s priority and conceded he may rest players ahead of a trip to Manchester City on Sunday.

"It is the league that counts and we make no apologies for resting players because that is our priority," he told BBC Sport.

"At the same time we are trying our very best and so far have done well in both."

The West London side are Group E’s last remaining unbeaten side and are currently sitting at the top of the table with an excellent chance of qualification.

A much-changed Fulham side grabbed a deserved 1-1 draw away to CSKA Sofia in their first European appearance for seven years and they followed this up with a 1-0 victory over Swiss side Basle.

Claudio Ranieri’s side remain by far their toughest test to date, having regularly been involved with the UEFA Champions League over the last decade.

Il Giallorossi recovered from a shock opening defeat away to Basle to record a routine 2-0 victory against the Bulgarians last time out.

Roma are yet to win in the capital on three attempts, while amazingly, the Cottagers have never lost a European tie on home soil and will hope that record remains intact against their glamorous opponents mid-week.

Old acquaintances will be renewed tonight, with Bjorn Helge Riise coming up against his brother and former Liverpool ace John Arne if selected.

The two managers know each other well and clashed regularly during the mid-90’s from their respective spells at Fiorentina and Inter.

Fulham have had just two days to recover from Monday night's victory over Hull City, while Ranieri’s side will look to bounce back from a disappointing defeat 2-1 to AC Milan.

Team News:

Fulham go into the tie without their captain and match-winner against Basle, Danny Murphy, who picked up a knock against Phil Brown’s side, with Jonathan Greening set to deputise.

Toni Kallio, Simon Davies, Dickson Etuhu and Andrew Johnson are all out injured, while Kagisho Dikgacoi is ineligible.

Diomansy Kamara and Bobby Zamora should lead the line after both strikers scored last time out.

Roma are without their talismanic captain Francesco Totti who missed last Sunday’s game against Milan and did not make the trip to London.

Juan and Marco Motta are also out injured, with Claudio Ranieri likely to start with the same team that lost 2-1 at Giuseppe Meazza.

Probable Starting XIs (*Star man):

Fulham (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Paintsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky; Dempsey, Baird, Greening, Duff*; Kamara, Zamora.

Roma (4-5-1): Doni, Cassetti, Mexes, Burdisso, Riisel Taddei, De Rossi*, Pizarro, Perrotta, Menez; Vucinic.

ExtraFootie Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Roma - Both side's are captainless going into the game and Roma should dominate the midfield in the absence of Etuhu and Murphy.

Roma have been poor on their travels so far this season and will struggle without Il Capitano Totti, Hodgson’s side should be good for a draw.

Fancy a flutter? You can back Zamora to score two or more goals in the match at 19/1 or Fulham to come from behind and win at 11/1.