The second leg of the 2024/25 Europa League Round of 16 between Athletic (Spain) and Roma (Italy) will take place on March 13 at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao. The first match ended 2-1 in favor of Roma. Athletic vs. Roma: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Athletic
Ernesto Valverde's side suffered a 1-2 defeat in the first leg, conceding the decisive goal in stoppage time. This was only Athletic's second loss in the current Europa League campaign (6 wins, 1 draw). The club's scoring streak in this European competition has now extended to 17 matches. To advance to the next round, the Basques need to win in regular time by at least two goals. Notably, the team last reached the Europa League quarter-finals in the 2015/16 season.
- The club has won in regular time in 12 of their last 15 home matches in the Europa League.
- At least three goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 5 of the team's last 7 home games in this European competition.
- The Spaniards have not conceded more than one goal in regular time in 8 of their last 11 home fixtures in the Europa League.
Predicted lineup for Athletic (4-2-3-1)
Julen Agirrezabala – Oscar De Marcos, Yuri Berchiche, Yeray Alvarez, Dani Vivian – Mikel Jauregi, Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta – Unai Gomez, Iñaki Williams, Nico Williams – Maroan Sannadi.
Forward Álvaro Djalo will miss the game due to injury. Defender Yeray Alvarez is suspended.
Roma
Claudio Ranieri's team, after defeating Athletic in the first leg, extended their unbeaten run in the Europa League to four matches (3 wins, 1 draw). However, Roma has not kept a clean sheet in their last three matches in this tournament. The Italians need to avoid defeat over 90 minutes to progress to the next round, and if the club loses by a single goal, extra time will be played. Notably, the Romans could reach the Europa League quarter-finals for the third consecutive season.
- The team has not won in regular time in their last six away matches in the Europa League (4 draws, 2 losses).
- The club has scored in 90 minutes in 5 of their last 7 away games in this European competition.
- The Romans have conceded exactly one or two goals in regular time in their last six away matches in the Europa League.
Predicted lineup for Roma (4-4-2)
Mile Svilar – Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka, Mehmet Zeki Çelik, Angeliño – Devyne Rensch, Niccolò Pisilli, Tommaso Baldanzi, Bryan Cristante – Artem Dovbyk, Paulo Dybala.
Referee
Clément Turpin (France)
Matches – 12 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 32;
Average yellow cards per match – 2.7;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 50%.
Athletic vs. Roma: Match Prediction
At home, the Basques usually perform confidently, favoring attacking football. Athletic regularly finds the back of the net, having failed to score only once in their last 24 home Europa League matches. In the current tournament, they have scored nine goals in four home games. Moreover, in 13 of these matches, the Spaniards have scored at least twice.
Roma rarely struggles to break down defenses, even away from home: in their last 13 away Europa League matches, they have failed to score only four times. However, defensively, the Romans are not always flawless, having kept just one clean sheet in their away games during this period. In this season's European competition, the Italians have conceded in every away game.
I expect both opponents to actively contribute to the attack and exchange goals. My prediction: Both teams to score – Yes
