One of the most interesting clashes of the first knockout round of the Europa League will take place in Spain on Thursday, when Villarreal host AS Roma at Estadio de la Ceramica. The two teams have met in the UEFA Cup back in 2004, and Villarreal won 3-2 on aggregate after a 2-0 win at home and a 2-1 defeat in the Italian capital. Roma have lost 13 of their 26 matches against Spanish opposition in European competitions, while Villarreal have won 7 of their 18 matches against Italian teams.
Villarreal have been very close to the Europa League (or UEFA Cup) final on various occasions but never managed to get there. Last season they reached the semi-finals for the fourth time but lost to Liverpool. This season they are battling for a Champions League spot in LaLiga, but they are sixth at the moment after having recorded consecutive draws in their last couple of matches. They have won just one of their last five Europa League matches. Roberto Soldado is the only injury concern for the home side.
Roma have won their last three matches in all competitions, trying to keep up with Serie A leaders Juventus. Most likely they won't be able to deny Juventus another league title, but they are surely capable of finishing second and gaining access to next season's Champions League group stage. They are still unbeaten in the Europa League this season after having finished the group stage with three wins and three draws. Alessandro Florenzi is unavailable through injury, while head coach Luciano Spalletti might choose to rest some of his key players ahead of the next Serie A match.
Probable line-ups:
Villarreal: Fernandez - Rukavina, Musacchio, Ruiz, Angel - Santos, Trigueros, Soriano, Cheryshev - Bakambu, Borre
Roma: Alisson - Peres, Vermaelen, Fazio, Jesus - Nainggolan, Paredes, Gerson - Salah, Dzeko, El Shaarawy
My prediction: 1-1 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Villarreal win - 2.70
Draw - 3.30
Roma win - 2.88
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Comments (1)
sharpe
03/02/17, 02:03:04 AM
Roma were really great in that one and they assure themselves a place in the last 16 even before the rematch. Dzeco scored a hat-trick and Italian side looks to...
Roma were really great in that one and they assure themselves a place in the last 16 even before the rematch. Dzeco scored a hat-trick and Italian side looks to be one of the main contenders for the UEFA League trophy this season although they will have to face a tough opponent in the last 16 in the face of the French side Lyon. Still Roma battles on all fronts in Italy and Europe.
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