The second leg of the 2024/25 Europa League Round of 16 between Athletic (Spain) and Roma (Italy) will take place on March 13 at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao. The score of the first match was 2-1 in favor of Roma. Athletic vs. Roma: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Athletic
Ernesto Valverde's side lost the first leg away with a score of 1-2, conceding the decisive goal in stoppage time. This defeat was only the second for Athletic in the current Europa League campaign (6 wins, 1 draw). The club's scoring streak in this European competition has now stretched to 17 matches. To advance to the next round, the Basques need to win in regular time by at least two goals. Notably, the team last reached the Europa League quarter-finals in the 2015/16 season.
- The club has won in regular time in 12 of their last 15 home matches in the Europa League.
- At least three goals have been scored in 5 of their last 7 home matches in this European competition.
- The Spaniards have not conceded more than one goal in regular time in 8 of their last 11 home games in the Europa League.
Predicted lineup for Athletic (4-2-3-1)
Julen Agirrezabala – Oscar De Marcos, Yuri Berchiche, Yeray Alvarez, Daniel Vivian – Mikel Vesga, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta – Unai Gomez, Inaki Williams, Nico Williams – Maroan Sannadi.
Forward Alvaro Djalo will miss the match due to injury. Defender Yeray Alvarez is suspended.
Roma
Claudio Ranieri's team extended their unbeaten run in the Europa League to four matches (3 wins, 1 draw) by defeating Athletic in the first leg. However, Roma has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last three matches in this tournament. To advance to the next round, the Italians need to avoid losing in regular time, and if they lose by one goal, extra time will be played. Notably, the Romans could reach the Europa League quarter-finals for the third consecutive season.
- The team has not won in regular time in their last six away matches in the Europa League (4 draws, 2 losses).
- The club has scored in 5 of their last 7 away matches in this European competition.
- Roma has conceded exactly one or two goals in regular time in their last six away games in the Europa League.
Predicted lineup for Roma (4-4-2)
Mile Svilar – Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka, Mehmet Zeki Celik, Angelino – Devyne Rensch, Niccolo Pisilli, Tommaso Baldanzi, Bryan Cristante – Artem Dovbyk, Paulo Dybala.
Athletic vs. Roma: Match Prediction
At home, the Basques usually perform confidently, favoring attacking football. Athletic regularly finds the back of the net: in 24 of their last home matches in the Europa League, the team failed to score only once, and in the current tournament, they have netted nine goals in four home games. Moreover, in 13 instances during this period, the Spaniards scored at least twice.
Roma also rarely struggles to break through the opponent's defense, even away from home: in their last 13 away matches in the Europa League, the club failed to score only four times. However, defensively, the Romans have not always been flawless, managing only one clean sheet in their away games during this period. In the current tournament, the Italians have conceded in every away match.
I believe both opponents will actively engage in creating chances and will exchange goals. My prediction: Both teams to score – Yes
