Prediction: AS Roma vs Ajax

Prediction: AS Roma to win 2-0

Best Odds: 13/1

Bookmaker: Betfair

AS Roma and Ajax will face each other in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie on Thursday evening. The match is slated to kick off at 8pm UK time at Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

AS Roma

AS Roma will head into the Europa League quarter-final second-leg tie as favourites, having won the first leg 2-1 against Ajax in Amsterdam. The Dutch club had actually taken the lead in the 39th minute at Johan Cruijff ArenA, but the Italian club found the back of the net twice in the second half to take a huge step towards the semi-finals.

Paulo Fonseca’s side will head into the match against Ajax at Stadio Olimpico in Rome on the back of a 1-0 win against Bologna at home in Serie A. Roma are seventh in the league table at the moment with 54 points from 30 matches, as many as seven points behind fourth-placed Atalanta.

Team News:

Leonardo Spinazzola will miss out on the second leg due to a muscle injury. Chris Smalling and Stephan El Shaarawy are doubtful due to thigh injuries.

Ajax

Ajax will have been buzzing when they took the lead against Roma at home in the first leg last week, but after conceding twice in the second half, the Eredivisie outfit will know that it is going to be an uphill struggle to overhaul the 2-1 deficit in the second leg in Rome on Thursday evening.

Erik ten Hag’s side are at the top of the Eredivisie table at the moment with 72 points from 28 matches, as many as 11 points ahead of second-placed PSV, who have played 29 games. Ajax will head into the game against Roma in Rome on the back of a 1-0 victory over RKC Waalwijk away from home in the Eredivisie.

Team News:

Brian Brobbey could miss the match against Roma due to a muscle injury.

Key Factors to Consider

• AS Roma have won three of their last five competitive matches.
• Ajax have won four of their last five competitive matches.
• Ajax goalkeeper keeper Maarten Stekelenburg spent two seasons at AS Roma earlier in his career.
• Borja Mayoral has scored seven goals and provided two assists for AS Roma in the Europa League.
• AS Roma had just 37% of the possession in the first leg in Amsterdam.

Conclusion

Ajax will have to be at their best, and while they will certainly give their all, it is hard to see Roma slip up, especially as they have such a commanding lead from the away leg.

Prediction: AS Roma to win 2-0

Best Odds: 13/1

Bookmaker: Betfair