AS Roma vs FC Porto prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-02-19 17:45.
[p]Roma held on to a 1-1 draw against Porto in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League (UEL) knockout phase playoffs last week despite playing nearly 30 minutes of regular time with ten men. The Giallorossi had a similar result at this stage last season and needed penalties to progress to the Round of 16. A 1-0 win at the weekend over Parma extended their recent unbeaten league run (W6, D3), but with the European places still some way off, head coach Claudio Ranieri could be forgiven for prioritising progression in this competition.[/p]
[p]There should be plenty of confidence in the home camp too based on their recent form at Stadio Olimpico, with Roma winning seven of their last eight competitive matches here (D1). It gets better in Europe as the hosts have won 14 of their last 16 home UEL games (D1, L1), including three consecutive wins without conceding.[/p]
[p]One of those wins came on matchday six this season against a Portuguese club, Braga, but Porto won’t be too worried by that as they have an impressive record of eliminating Serie A hosts in all three previous two-legged H2H European knockout ties. The Dragões could make it to the Round of 16 in Europe for the fourth season on the bounce, although a run of just two wins across ten recent competitive matches (D4, L4) suggests it won’t be an easy task awaiting them in the Italian capital.[/p]
[p]Porto won 1-0 away at Farense on Sunday, extending their unbeaten run on the road (W2, D1) that included a matchday eight win in the UEL League phase. The visitors need to draw from that confidence to improve their away record, which is dire with only two wins across the last 16 away UEL games (D5, L9).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Zeki Çelik received his highest FS rating (8.1) of the season at the weekend and the Roma defender had an eventful reverse leg scoring their goal and also picking up a yellow card. Although in the middle of an eight-game competitive scoring drought, Samu remains a late threat with his last three UEL goals coming in the second half and serving as Porto’s last of the match.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Porto’s last eight competitive matches aggregated seven red cards.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Sridhar B[/i][/p]
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