Shakhtar Donetsk vs Roma Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 16/03/2021, 01:40  by Nella Wagah | Modified on 16/03/2021 at 01:41 in Europa League Predictions

Shakhtar Donetsk have an uphill task as they host AS Roma in their Europa League return leg clash in Kiev. Roma thrashed Shakhtar 3-0 in the first leg meeting in Italy, taking the lead in this clash that mostly favors the home side. The hosts dropped to this competition after finishing third in their Champions League group. They beat Maccabi Tel Aviv home and away to set up this encounter but a lapse in concentration for just five second half minutes in Rome put them in this predicament. They were already trailing 1-0 in the 73rd minute but switched off just a bit only to see Stephan El Sharaawy and Gianluca Mancini score within five minutes to hand Roma a comfortable lead. It was their third loss in 10 matches, but they recovered to beat Desna 4-0 in their domestic league, making it two clean sheets in five matches. Shakhtar haven’t played a lot in 2021, and are in danger of being lesser fit than their opponents; this is their ninth competitive match in the year. The Ukrainians have three wins and a loss in the last four home matches and in the Europa League, they are unbeaten in five straight home matches, the last four being straight wins. They have one loss in 14 Europa League matches at home, and won 10 in the run.

AS Roma could not build on their win over Shakhtar as they returned to Serie A action; they suffered a 2-0 loss at the hands of struggling Parma. That defeat ended their three-match winning run, and they now have three losses, eight wins in their last 12 matches. The Giallorossi are sweating over the availability of key players for the game in Kiev. Nicolo Zaniolo, Jordan Veretout, Chris Smalling and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all reported to be doubtful. Paulo Fonseca will at least be hoping to have the defenders available to try and protect their lead. In the last 11 away matches, Roma have managed just two clean sheets, with six losses and four wins. They beat Portuguese side Braga home and away to set up this clash and with their opening win over Shakhtar, they have three straight wins in the Europa League and six wins in their last seven matches in the competition. However, in the last 10 away matches in this competition, they have four wins, and four losses.