Europe - Europa League
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by Stephen Abiola | in Europa League Picks
Athletic Bilbao and AS Roma will battle it out on Thursday evening in a high-stakes UEFA Europa Round of 16 clash at San Mames. Bilbao will come into this matchup looking to overturn their 2-1 loss in Italy and progress to the quarter-finals of this continental tournament. They were impressive last week after grabbing the first goal through a 50th-minute strike by Inaki Williams.
However, Roma immediately responded in the 56th minute after midfielder Angelino smashed home the ball after it hit the post. The hosts kept pressing for the winner and were finally rewarded in the 96th minute via an Eldor Shomurodov strike. Bilbao will have themselves to blame after Yeray Alvarez got a red card in the 85th minute. They must now craft an immediate response and score at least two goals to proceed to the next round of the competition. Bilbao are the betting favorites to win this crucial matchup.
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Athletic Bilbao vs Roma Form
Athletic Bilbao and Roma Latest Matches
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Mar 9, 2025 - LaLiga
Mar 6, 2025 - Europa League
Mar 1, 2025 - LaLiga
Feb 23, 2025 - LaLiga
Feb 16, 2025 - LaLiga
Feb 8, 2025 - LaLiga
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Mar 9, 2025 - LaLiga
Feb 23, 2025 - LaLiga
Feb 8, 2025 - LaLiga
Jan 30, 2025 - Europa League
Jan 26, 2025 - LaLiga
Jan 16, 2025 - Copa del Rey
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Mar 6, 2025 - Europa League
Mar 1, 2025 - LaLiga
Feb 16, 2025 - LaLiga
Feb 2, 2025 - LaLiga
Jan 22, 2025 - Europa League
Jan 19, 2025 - LaLiga
6/6 (100%)
0/6 (0%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Mar 9, 2025 - Serie A
Mar 6, 2025 - Europa League
Mar 2, 2025 - Serie A
Feb 24, 2025 - Serie A
Feb 20, 2025 - Europa League
Feb 16, 2025 - Serie A
5/6 (83%)
1/6 (17%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Mar 6, 2025 - Europa League
Mar 2, 2025 - Serie A
Feb 24, 2025 - Serie A
Feb 20, 2025 - Europa League
Feb 2, 2025 - Serie A
Jan 30, 2025 - Europa League
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Mar 9, 2025 - Serie A
Feb 16, 2025 - Serie A
Feb 13, 2025 - Europa League
Feb 9, 2025 - Serie A
Feb 5, 2025 - Coppa Italia
Jan 26, 2025 - Serie A
Athletic Bilbao against Roma : Head to Head (H2H)
0 %
50 %
50 %
Average stats (last H2H results)
Mar 6, 2025 - Europa League
Sep 26, 2024 - Europa League
Athletic Bilbao - Roma: Form Analysis
There are concerns about Athletic Club’s form heading into this crucial midweek game. They have won only once in their last five matches, losing two of their previous three assignments. Before losing to AS Roma, they were beaten 1-0 by Atletico Madrid in the league. Ernesto Valverde’s men are coming off a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Mallorca, failing to close the gap on top of the table. They have won eight of their last 10 home matches against Italian teams in European competitions.
Athletic Bilbao has won all their four Europa League home games this season.
Roma look unbeatable at the moment, and they should pose a threat to any opponent they face. They have been highly efficient in their recent matches, defeating Empoli 1-0 last weekend courtesy of a first-minute goal from Matias Soule. However, their recent record in Spain doesn’t inspire confidence. They have won just two of their last 12 assignments in Spain, losing on eight occasions. However, they have progressed from each of their last nine European knockout assignments when leading in the first leg.
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Players list
J. Agirrezabala
DefenderO. De Marcos
U. Nunez
I. Lekue
Y. Berchiche
MidfielderB. Prados
M. Jauregizar
A. Berenguer
ForwardA. Gorosabel
N. Williams
G. Guruzeta
M. Svilar
DefenderG. Mancini
M. Hummels
E. N Dicka
S. El Shaarawy
Angelino
MidfielderA. Saelemaekers
L. Paredes
N. Pisilli
ForwardE. Shomurodov
M. Soule
Substitutes
U. Simon
DefenderI. Lekue
A. Gorosabel
A. Dunabeitia
MidfielderA. Boiro
B. Prados
M. Vesga
ForwardA. Olabarrieta
A. Berenguer
A. Djalo
P. Urtasan
G. Guruzeta
G. De Marzi
P. Gollini
DefenderS. Abdulhamid
V. Nelsson
B. Sangare
MidfielderN. Pisilli
M. Kone
A. Saelemaekers
L. Pellegrini
ForwardE. Shomurodov
S. El Shaarawy
M. Soule
Missing players
D. Vivian
Athletic Bilbao & Roma Squad Analysis
Athletic Bilbao will be banking on the Williams brothers to continue delivering the goals. Inaki Williams was on target against Roma last week, taking his Europa League tally this season to 5 goals in nine games. His younger brother is also chipping in with goals from the wings and was on the scoresheet last weekend. The 22-year-old has played nine Europa League matches this season, bagging 2 goals in the process.
As expected, Athletic Bilbao will be without Yeray Alvarez, who was sent off last week.
We expect AS Roma head coach Claudio Ranieri to maintain the squad that defeated Athletic Club last week. The experienced Italian tactician should stick to his 3-2-4-1 formation, with Artem Dovbyk leading the line. The Ukrainian has played 10 Europa League matches, scoring 2 goals. Eldor Shomurodov should continue making an impact from the bench, with the 29-year-old grabbing his second goal in this competition last week. Paulo Dybala has been a mainstay in attack and should be eager to add to his 2-goal tally in the Europa League.
Most goals and assists
Athletic Bilbao
Roma
O. Sancet
(17 Goals)
A. Dovbyk
(13 Goals)
I. Williams
(10 Assists)
,
A. Berenguer
(10 Assists)
P. Dybala
(4 Assists)
Athletic Bilbao - Roma Key Points
- Both teams scored in four of the last five Bilbao games.
- Bilbao won three of their last four home games.
- Roma won seven of their last eight matches.
- Roma won three of their last four away games.
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Our Athletic Bilbao vs Roma Prediction
Bilbao will likely fly out of the gates in this matchup and try to get an early goal. This should allow them to play more confidently and control the proceedings in front of their fans. They’ll be keen not to allow Roma to hit shots at their goalie. However, Bilbao’s defenders must keep an eye on Roma’s pacey strikers, led by Paulo Dybala, who will be waiting to hit on the counter.
It’s worth mentioning that Roma hasn’t lost to Bilbao in their last three meetings. The other two encounters ended in 1-1 and 2-2 draws. It’s an interesting game that could go either way. Our prediction for Athletic Bilbao vs Roma: Both teams to score.
Athletic Bilbao vs Roma - Other Interesting Picks
Over 2.5 goals
Our secondary prediction is for over 2.5 goals to hit. Although the total goals were under 2.5 in the last four AS Roma games, we expect a different outcome on Thursday. Bilbao will likely go for an all-out attack at home in a bid to reduce the deficit. This could leave spaces in the back for Roma to sneak in a goal or two.
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All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
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