Athletic Bilbao vs. Roma: Europa Match Preview, Odds & Predictions

Facing a one-goal deficit after last week's first leg, Athletic Bilbao will aim to keep their Europa League hopes alive by defeating Roma on Thursday. The teams meet at San Mames—the venue for this season's final—as Athletic seeks to stage a last-16 comeback and edge closer to featuring in May's showpiece.

Previous Matches and head-to-head

Despite Inaki Williams giving Athletic Club an early lead at Stadio Olimpico with a close-range header, Roma quickly equalized through Angelino. After Yeray Alvarez was sent off for a second yellow card, Athletic held on for a draw, but Roma snatched a late winner, leaving the Basque side empty-handed.

Athletic's frustration continued on Sunday with a 1-1 home draw against Mallorca in La Liga. After conceding early in the second half, Nico Williams equalized moments later. Despite this, Ernesto Valverde's team remains on track for Champions League qualification, sitting five points ahead of fifth-placed Villarreal, albeit having played one more game.

Although Athletic have recorded two defeats and a draw in their last three matches across all competitions, they boast the third-best home record in La Liga this season, averaging over two points per game. They have also won all four Europa League matches at San Mames this campaign and have scored in each of their last 17 games, home or away. Additionally, their strong record of eight wins in 10 home games against Italian teams suggests history favors them against Roma.

However, Roma holds a crucial advantage after Eldor Shomurodov's dramatic 94th-minute winner in the first leg. With 97 wins in UEFA's second-tier competition, Roma has the most victories in its history. Having progressed from each of their last nine European knockout ties after winning the first leg—a streak dating back to 2019—they are confident of advancing to the quarter-finals.

While Athletic entered this round directly, Roma had to navigate a tense playoff against Porto before avoiding city rivals Lazio in the draw. Now, they aim to set up a last-eight clash with either Rangers or Fenerbahce, managed by former boss Jose Mourinho.

Roma remain unbeaten in Serie A this year and extended their recent success with a 1-0 win over Empoli on Sunday, thanks to Matias Soule's early goal. This marked their 12th league game without defeat and sixth consecutive win. Since Claudio Ranieri's return in November, only league leaders Inter Milan have won more matches across all competitions, and Roma are now close to challenging for a top-four finish. Ranieri, 73, hopes to cap his remarkable career with one last trophy by returning to Bilbao in May.

Athletic Bilbao x Roma Team News

The athletic club will be without key defender Dani Vivian, who was injured in the first leg, and Yeray Alvarez, who was suspended after receiving his red card. Aitor Paredes is likely to partner with Unai Nunez in a reshuffled defense. Ernesto Valverde is also missing Alvaro Djalo (ankle) and Oihan Sancet (thigh), but Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta returns from a domestic ban.

Inaki Williams, who has scored five Europa League goals this season—matching the record for most goals by a Ghanaian in a single European campaign—will start alongside his brother Nico Williams. Gorka Guruzeta and Maroan Sannadi are competing to join them in the attack.

For Roma, Claudio Ranieri is expected to make several changes, reintroducing players like Angelino, Artem Dovbyk, and Paulo Dybala. Gianluca Mancini returns from suspension, and Leandro Paredes is available after serving a UEFA ban. With Zeki Celik sidelined due to a thigh injury, Devyne Rensch could start in defense, or Mats Hummels or Victor Nelsson may retain their places.

Our Prediction

Full time draw @ 3.45 on Sky247.ng

Although Roma have won only two of their last 12 away games in Spain, losing eight, they are a rejuvenated side under Claudio Ranieri. With confidence high and Athletic struggling recently, Roma are poised to end Athletic's hopes of a home final.

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