Roma vs Brighton Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 07/03/2024, 08:30  by Ian John | Modified on 07/03/2024 at 08:31 in Europa League Predictions

AS Roma will host Brighton in the Europa League Round of 16 on Thursday night (kick off 5.45pm). The famous Stadio Olimpico will be the backdrop to a game which should be an interesting encounter between two teams that have somewhat contrasting styles of play. AS Roma's Daniele De Rossi took over as manager of the club he once played for after the sacking of Jose Mourinho back in January. Since then they have lost just one of their last eight games, and that came against runaway league leaders Inter, and they edged a nervy Europa League Playoff tie in February, drawing both legs with Feyenoord 1-1 before snatching the win 4-2 on penalties. De Rossi's pragmatic approach has worked well in Serie A too, and the home side come into this game on the back of six league wins in their last seven games, scoring 16 goals in those games, conceding nine.  They finished second in Group G of the Europa League, two points behind Slavia Prague with four wins in their six games. 

Brighton collected the same number of points as AS Roma, 13, but that was enough for them to top a group that also contained Marseille and Ajax, as well as AEK Athens. In fact, the Seagulls lost their opener to the Greek side at the AMEX, but then went unbeaten in the next five games, winning the last four games in the group without conceding a goal. However, the Seagulls recent form has been somewhat frustrating for manager Roberto de Zerbi. They were well beaten 3-0 by Fulham at the weekend, lost out to Wolves in the FA Cup 5th Round before that and needed a late equaliser from skipper Lewis Dunk to draw at home to Everton. With just one win in their last five domestically, performances like that won't be enough to get the job done in Rome.