Salzburg vs AS Roma prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-02-15 17:45.
Salzburg and Roma will meet for the first time in European competition when they clash in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) knockout play-offs, with the serial Austrian champions stepping down from the UEFA Champions League (UCL) after losing their last two group matches (W1, D3, L2). This will be the ninth time that Salzburg will feature in the UEL knockout phase – just one fewer than record-holders Ajax.
The hosts started the 2023 calendar year with a 2-1 Austrian Cup defeat to Sturm Graz, but reacted well last weekend with a 4-0 league win against Austria Lustenau that left manager Matthias Jaissle feeling āconfidentā against a āworld-class team that will push us to the limitā. Indeed, theyāll be hoping to improve on their all-time record against Italian sides (W5, D4, L11), with the latest defeat coming in their last UCL match against Milan which condemned them to their ārelegationā into this UEL play-off.
Inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League winners Roma qualified for this stage at the very last moment thanks to their come-from-behind win over Ludogorets in their last UEL group stage match (3-1). The Italian outfit continue to perform better in 2023 (W5, D2, L2), albeit their last 1-1 draw at Lecce was a letdown for fans despite boss Jose Mourinho assessing their performance as āa good gameā.
There was good news for Roma on Saturday with the return to the field of Georginio Wijnaldum, who made just his second appearance for the Giallorossi after a fractured tibia had put him out for a long 180 days before. Heāll be hoping his side can stretch their fine away competitive record of only one defeat across the last 11 such outings (W6, D4).
Players to watch: Noah Okafor has scored three UCL goals for Salzburg this season, including the opener in their 1-1 home draw to Italian champions Milan. Meanwhile, Lorenzo Pellegrini scored twice in Romaās UEL win over Ludogorets, which made up part of his three second-half goals from five European appearances this term.
Hot streak: Roma have never lost to an Austrian side from six historical meetings (W3, D3).