Best Odds: 8/13
Bookmaker:
Two sides who will be desperate to claim a first-leg Europa League advantage on Thursday evening, Brighton will make the trip to Italian icons Roma.
Starting with the hosts, while Roma might have continued to show some extended domestic inconsistencies this season, the Wolves are in the midst of a recent purple patch. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they stormed their way to a stellar 4-1 romp away at Monza, Daniele De Rossi’s men should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Extending on their Europa League adventure on February 22nd after edging their way past Dutch giants Feyenoord, Roma have won all of their previous four appearances across all competitions. Likewise, aside from an action-packed 4-2 loss at the hands of Inter Milan on February 10th, De Rossi’s side are unbeaten in all of their other last nine showdowns. Finding what has been a real clinical edge in the final third and notching 11 strikes on their four-match winning run, many around the Stadio Olimpico will be confident of claiming a first-leg advantage on Thursday evening.
Team News
Still dealing with a long-term knee injury and not making a single appearance across any competition so far this season, Roma still remain without the services of England international Tammy Abraham. Making a much-welcomed return to first-team action last month, former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling could be handed a full return here.
Once again finding the net against Monza over the weekend and now notching seven goals in as many appearances across all competitions, Argentina ace Paulo Dybala will partner Romelu Lukaku in the final third. Ex-Benfica goalkeeper Mile Svilar should keep his spot between the sticks on Thursday evening.
Brighton
As for the visitors, while Brighton might have received a string of plaudits since appointing Roberto De Zerbi back in September 2022, the Seagulls find themselves at the heart of a public struggle. Coming under plenty of recent scrutiny, the Premier League outfit have drastically struggled to find any kind of stability. Putting in another worrying performance over the weekend as they eventually fell to a shock 3-0 drumming at the hands of Fulham, the former Sassuolo boss has seen his squad muster just a single victory from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions. Crashing out of the FA Cup last week following a 1-0 loss against Wolves, Brighton should be concerned by their glaring issues away from the Amex. Including an infamous 4-0 defeat away at Luton on January 30th, Thursday’s guests have lost four of their previous five showdowns away from the south coast.
Team News
In what is a major blow for Brighton, Japan international Kaoru Mitoma could miss the rest of the season with a back injury. Likewise, De Zerbi’s men will travel to Rome on Thursday evening without the likes of Solly March, James Milner and attacking talisman Joao Pedro.
Handed a rest away at Fulham over the weekend, influential midfielder Pascal Gross will certainly be handed a full recall at the Stadio Olimpico. Although former Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck might have bagged just a single goal in any of his previous six appearances across all competitions, the 33-year-old should spearhead Brighton’s charge here.
Key Factors to Consider
