UEFA Europa League: Roma vs Lyon preview

Roma have to fight back when they face Lyon in the second leg of their Europa League clash at the Olympic Stadium on Thursday. The French side won the first leg 4-2 after Roma had held a 2-1 lead at half time. The result puts Lyon in pole position to earn qualification to the quarter-finals, even though Roma has won the only previous encounter over two legs between these two teams. Roma had a terrible nine days at the start of March, they were coming after a great 3-1 Serie A victory at Inter but went on to lose three consecutive games in just over a week. First they got hurt by city rivals Lazio in the Italian Cup, then they lost at home against league rivals Lazio and the poor streak culminated with the 4-2 defeat at Lyon. They recovered last weekend with a 3-0 victory at struggling Palermo but they will need to play a lot better to beat Lyon. Lyon are going through a ver good moment, they have not lost in seven games in all competitions and won six of those matches. Last weekend they confirmed their good form with a 4-0 triumph over Toulouse in Ligue 1, consolidating their fourth position in the league table. Full-back Rafael missed last weekend's match and is a doubt for Thursday's game, but Mouctar Diakhaby can make his return from suspension. Probable line-ups: Roma: Alisson - Manolas, Fazio, Rudiger - Peres, Paredes, Strootman, Emerson - Nainggolan - Salah, Dzeko Lyon: Lopes - Jallet, Mammana, Diakhaby, Rybus - Gonalons, Tousart - Ghezzal, Tolisso, Valbuena - Lacazette My prediction: Roma to win 3-1. Here are the odds for the match at Bet365: Roma win - 1.75 Draw - 4.33 Lyon win - 4.50