The Europa League is set to witness a thrilling encounter between Roma and Feyenoord on Thursday, February 18th. Both teams will be looking to secure a win in this knockout stage match to progress further in the competition. In this preview, we will take a closer look at the two teams, their recent form, and the possible lineups for the match.
Roma, who finished top of their group, will be looking to continue their impressive form in the Europa League. The Italian side has won four of their last five matches in all competitions, including a 3-0 victory over Udinese in their last Serie A match. With players like Edin Dzeko, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Pedro in their ranks, Roma will be confident of securing a win against Feyenoord.
On the other hand, Feyenoord finished second in their group behind Dinamo Zagreb. The Dutch side has been inconsistent in recent weeks, winning just two of their last five matches in all competitions. However, they will be buoyed by their 4-2 victory over Willem II in their last Eredivisie match.
In terms of head-to-head record, Roma has won two of their previous three meetings against Feyenoord. However, the last time these two sides met was back in 2002, so it’s difficult to draw any conclusions from their past encounters.
When it comes to the odds, Roma is the clear favorite to win this match. According to Bet365, Roma is priced at 1.44 to win, while Feyenoord is priced at 7.50 to cause an upset. The draw is priced at 4.50.
In terms of possible lineups, Roma is likely to field a strong team with Dzeko leading the attack. Mkhitaryan and Pedro are expected to provide support from the wings, while Jordan Veretout will anchor the midfield. In defense, Chris Smalling and Gianluca Mancini are expected to start at center-back.
Feyenoord, on the other hand, will be without their top scorer Steven Berghuis due to suspension. Jens Toornstra is likely to replace him in the attacking midfield role. Bryan Linssen and Luis Sinisterra are expected to start on the wings, while Mark Diemers will anchor the midfield. In defense, Eric Botteghin and Marcos Senesi are expected to start at center-back.
In terms of prediction, Roma is expected to win this match comfortably. Feyenoord has been inconsistent in recent weeks, and their absence of Berghuis is a huge blow to their chances. Roma, on the other hand, has been in impressive form and has a strong squad capable of winning this match.
Overall, this promises to be an exciting encounter between two quality sides. Fans can expect an entertaining match with plenty of goals and drama.