Verdict: Roma win
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Returning to the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening, Roma will host Porto for their Europa League second-leg showdown.
Roma
Starting with the hosts, putting in a gritty performance at the Estadio do Dragao last week as they snatched a 1-1 stalemate on foreign soil, Roma have continued to shine since Claudio Ranieri’s return back in November. Skyrocketing their way up the Serie A standings and clearly enjoying life under the former Leicester boss, the Wolves have suffered just a pair of defeats from any of their previous 14 appearances across all competitions. Excited to make a return to Rome on Thursday evening, the Italian giants have gained a fearsome reputation for their success on home soil. Signing off their Europa League group stage adventure with an impressive 2-0 victory against German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt, Ranieri’s men have won seven of their previous eight showdowns in front of their own supporters.
Roma Team News
Limping off with a first-half knock away in Portugal last week, Roma are once again sweating over the fitness of Argentinian ace Paulo Dybala on Thursday evening. Shown a first-leg red card at the Estadio do Dragao, former Atalanta midfielder Bryan Cristante will serve a one-match suspension here.
Handed a full rest away at Parma last weekend, ex-Girona striker Artem Dovbyk will be handed a full recall and lead the line in Rome. Likewise, veteran defender Mats Hummels could be handed a full recall at the Stadio Olimpico.
Porto
As for the visitors, missing out on the chance to claim a crucial first-leg advantage on home soil last week, Porto are desperately seeking some recent stability. Despite snatching a 1-0 win away at Farense over the weekend, that is just the second victory that Martin Anselmi’s men have collected from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions. Failing to find any kind of fluidity since returning from Portugal’s festive break, the Dragons should be bracing themselves for another stern examination in midweek. With their recent issues underlined by a 3-1 defeat against Gil Vicente on January 19th, Porto will also be concerned by their most recent trip to Rome. Hit with a 2-1 loss when they last travelled to the Stadio Olimpico back in February 2019, Anselmi’s side will have plenty of pressure on their shoulders here.
Porto Team News
Not making a single appearance since the start of October, Porto will once again be without former Liverpool midfielder Marko Grukic on Thursday evening. Likewise, dealing with a recent muscle issue, 19-year-old Martim Fernandes is not expected to feature in Rome.
While ex-Atletico Madrid starlet Samu Aghehowa might have failed to notch a single strike since opening the New Year, the Spanish international will spearhead Porto’s attack. Handed a full rest over the weekend, academy graduate Goncalo Borges will make a full return in the final third.
Roma vs Porto Key Factors to Consider
- When Roma and Porto met for their Europa League first-leg meeting last week, Thursday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate at the Estadio do Dragao.
- However, Roma secured a 2-1 victory when they last welcomed Roma to the Stadio Olimpico back in February 2019.
- Roma are unbeaten in all of their previous eight showdowns in front of their own supporters (seven wins, one draw).
- Porto have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions.
- Likewise, the Dragons have failed to record more than a single strike in nine of those 10 consecutive appearances.
Conclusion
Excited to make a return to home soil on Thursday evening, Roma will be hoping to lay down a Europa League marker. Continuing to shine at the Stadio Olimpico and winning seven of their previous eight showdowns in front of their own supporters, the Italian giants will meet a Porto squad who have continued to show some real inconstancies since opening the New Year. Landing a 2-1 win when they most recently welcomed the Dragons to Rome back in February 2019, we are expecting a similar outcome here.
Verdict: Roma win
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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