Ath Bilbao vs AS Roma prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-03-12 17:45.
[p]Athletic Bilbao have played Roma twice during this UEFA Europa League (UEL) campaign (D1, L1) but must now make it third time lucky as they trail this last-16 tie after losing the first leg 2-1 in Italy. Unable to bring much form into this clash, Athletic are now winless in three competitive games (D1, L2) for the first time this season following Sunday’s La Liga 1-1 draw against Mallorca.[/p]
[p]Needing to make the most of home advantage, there’s evidence to suggest the Lions can overturn the one-goal deficit as they’ve won all four UEL games at San MamĂ©s this term, three of them by at least a two-goal margin. Their continental record also stands up to scrutiny as they’ve won eight of the ten games they’ve hosted against Italian clubs in Europe (D1, L1).[/p]
[p]As Roma try to emulate Torino, the only Italian side to win a European away game in Bilbao, they do so having won their last six competitive fixtures and gone unbeaten across their last eight (W7, D1) after overcoming Empoli 1-0 in Serie A on Sunday. Like their hosts, they’ve lost twice in this competition this term (W5, D4) but they’re unbeaten in their last four UEL fixtures (W3, D1) as their resurgence under Claudio Ranieri’s management continues.[/p]
[p]But travelling remains a clear weakness for the Wolves, as they’ve won none of their last ten UEL away games on foreign soil (D6, L4), although a repeat of their previous UEL away game in Spain (D 0-0 v Real Sociedad en route to the 2022/23 final) would be enough for the two-time UEL/UEFA Cup runners-up to progress. Yet even draws have been hard to come by in Spain, where they’ve won just two of their last 12 European away fixtures (D2, L8).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Nico Williams has scored three times across Athletic’s last four fixtures, twice between the 55th and 70th minute, although both of his UEL strikes this term opened the scoring between the 20th and 35th minute. Meanwhile, Roma defender Angeliño will be aiming to make an impact in his homeland after scoring twice after the 55th minute across his last four appearances.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: Roma have progressed from the last nine major European ties in which they held a first-leg lead.[/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]