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 the 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 lost the first leg away by a score of 1-2, conceding the decisive goal in stoppage time. This defeat was only their second in the current Europa League campaign (6 wins, 1 draw). The team's scoring streak in this European competition has now reached 17 matches. To advance to the next round, the Basque team needs to win by at least two goals in regular time. The last time the team reached the Europa League quarter-finals was 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 5 of their last 7 home matches in this European competition.
- The Spaniards have conceded no more than one goal in regular time in 8 of their last 11 home games in the Europa League.
Predicted lineup for Athletic (4-2-3-1)
Julen Agirrezabala – Oscar De Marcos, Yuri Berchiche, Yeray Álvarez, Dani Vivian – Mikel Haurregui, Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta – Unai Gomez, Iñaki Williams, Nico Williams – Maroan Sannadi.
Defender Dani Vivian and midfielder Oihan Sancet are out due to injuries. Defender Yeray Álvarez is suspended.
Roma
Claudio Ranieri's side, having defeated Athletic in the first match, extended their unbeaten run in the Europa League to four games (3 wins, 1 draw). However, Roma has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last three matches in this tournament. The Italians need to avoid defeat over 90 minutes to advance, and if they lose by one 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 5 of their last 7 away games in this European competition.
- Roma has 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 N'Dicka, Mehmet Zeki Çelik, Angeliño – Devyne Rensch, Niccolò Pisilli, Tommaso Baldanzi, Bryan Cristante – Artem Dovbyk, Paulo Dybala.
Defender Mehmet Zeki Çelik is injured.
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 an attacking style. Athletic regularly finds the back of the net: in their last 24 home matches in the Europa League, they have failed to score only once, and in the current tournament, they have netted nine goals in four home games. Additionally, in 13 instances during this stretch, the Spaniards have scored at least twice.
Roma also rarely struggles to break down opposing defenses, even away from home: in their last 13 away matches in the Europa League, the club has failed to score only four times. However, defensively, the Romans are not always flawless, having kept just one clean sheet in away games during this period. In the current tournament, the Italians have conceded in every away game.
I believe both teams will actively create chances and will exchange goals. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
