Union Saint-Gilloise and AS Roma are both navigating a challenging season in their respective leagues. The Belgian side, accustomed to competing for the top spot, find themselves mid-table. Meanwhile, the Italian team are also falling short of their fans' expectations. This Europa League encounter offers both teams a crucial opportunity to enhance their standings and emerge from their current struggles.
Union SG have displayed a rather lacklustre attack this season, netting only 13 goals in 13 matches, averaging a mere one goal per game. Despite having an xG of about 1.5 per match, their finishing has been problematic. In previous Europa League meetings, the Belgians have yet to secure a victory, netting just once. Their lack of confidence in attack and inconsistent player form cast doubt on their ability to create threatening chances, even against a weakened Roma side.
The Rome-based team are facing difficulties, positioned 12th in Serie A with 11 points from 12 matches. They have scored only 14 goals, averaging 1.17 goals per game from an xG of 1.47. This underlines their inefficiency in converting chances, worsening their predicament. Roma have yet to win away this season, and have managed to score more than one goal only once in seven games. In the Europa League, all three of their matches have resulted in less than 2.5 total goals.
Considering both teams' current form and statistics, a tense match with few goals is anticipated. Both clubs struggle with conversion, making them vulnerable. Therefore, backing a total under 2.5 seems logical, as three goals appear too much for this encounter's competitiveness.
