With everything to play for after a first-leg draw in England, Roma and Leicester City will fight for a place in the Europa Conference League final at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday.
The Italian side took an early lead away from home but headed into the second leg level after a second-half equalizer from Brendan Rodgers’s men.
Brendan Rodgers and company are clearly and understandably focusing on the Europa Conference League but a trip to the Eternal City will provide a big test of their mettle.
Roma have been heavily fancied to go deep in the tournament from the offset, under the tutorship of serial winner Jose Mourinho.
Form Guide: Roma
AS Roma are without a win in their last four games, with three draws and a loss in that time. Their most recent outing at home against Bologna on Sunday ended in a bore 0-0 draw. We are aware that Mourinho saved all of his important players for Leicester, but on the other hand, the atmosphere at the Olimpico deserved more.
While Roma should not be disheartened by coming into the second leg level with home advantage, they do come in on the back of a disappointing goalless draw with Bologna at the weekend, ruling out a top-four finish in Serie A as a result, and they will now be keen to bounce back and earn a place in the final on Thursday.
Form Guide: Leicester City
Leicester City also arrive looking to put their league form behind them, as the Foxes have endured an underwhelming campaign in the Premier League by their own standards.
The continental run has been somewhat of shining light, though, as, after dropping out of the Europa League group stage, they got past Randers and Rennes before meeting Dutch high-flyers PSV Eindhoven in the quarter-finals.
It’s certainly been a mixed season for the Foxes, who have failed to keep pace in the fight for continental qualification in the Premier League.
Last time out, Leicester slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, on an afternoon where our tips delivered a clean sweep of winners.
This could now serve as their realistic chance of playing in Europe next season and they’ll definitely give their best to see it through.
How the game could go
Roma battled well and showed their quality before leaving Leicester with a draw last week. With the benefit of a passionate and hostile home crowd, they could go one better in the second leg.
The Foxes travel with a badly hit squad and little momentum. We would not be surprised to see them fall just short against Jose Mourinho’s well-drilled side at the Stadio Olimpico.
Leicester have already lost on Italian soil this season – a 3-2 Europa League defeat at Napoli in December and we suggest the Foxes could suffer a similar fate on Thursday night.
Betting Predictions
Roma to win
Roma are unbeaten in their last 10 home games and we’re backing the Serie A side to secure the victory on Thursday that will see them progress to the final. Leicester are without a win in their last five matches, suffering two defeats in the process. Also, the visitors haven’t won on their travels in any of their last three attempts. Bet9ja have 2.22, 1xbet have 3.36 and Paripesa have 2.25 odds.
Both teams to score (YES)
Both teams scored when these two sides met last week and we’re predicting more of the same this Thursday. Four of Roma’s and five of Leicester’s last six outings in all competitions have ended with both teams getting on the scoreboard, so you can see just why we’re not backing either side to keep their clean sheet intact at the Stadio Olimpico. Bet9ja have 1.77 odds, Paripesa have 1.90 and 1xbet have 1.90 odds.
Anytime Goalscorer (Roma)
Tammy Abraham
The England forward has been impressive all season and was lucky to not find the back of the net last time out. He is Mourinho’s favorite option upfront and he has delivered on several occasions when needed. He has the most goals for his side this season in all competitions. Bet9ja have 3.15 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.50.
Lorenzo Pellegrino
He is second in the goals scoring charts for his team in this competition and he found the back of the net early for his side but his goal was canceled out by an own goal. He has been impressive this season also with his home form and this would surely count today. He has most of his goals coming from playing on his home ground this season. Bet9ja have 4.00 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 5.00.
Anytime Goalscorer (Leicester City)
Iheanacho
Kelechi Iheanacho was Leicester’s only goalscorer at the weekend and also found the net in their Round of 16 triumphs. He surely deserves a start here today as he has proven to his manager that he can be the one to provide the goals when he’s called upon. They couldn’t find the back of the net from open play last time out and his goal over at the weekend would count for something. Bet9ja have 3.50 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 3.24
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Jamie Vardy
The veteran England striker is said to return and reprise his role up top. This is definitely a confidence boost for his manager and his team as his experience would surely count today. He would be looking to lead his side to another title this season, making it consecutive trophies for the club in their new century history. Bet9ja have 3.00 odds for him to score while Paripesa have 2.62.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
