Roma and Athletic Bilbao face off again in the first leg of their last-16 tie at the Stadio Olimpico in the UEFA Europa League (UEL), after already meeting in the league phase.
The hosts overcame Porto 4-3 on aggregate in the knockout play-off round to get to this stage, while the visitors progressed straight into the last 16 after finishing second in the league phase table.
Roma are in brilliant form heading into this one, boasting four straight wins in all competitions. Bilbao did narrowly lose 1-0 at Atletico Madrid in La Liga last time out, but were unbeaten in six games over all competitions prior.
Nonetheless, this is a close match to call, and both sides will be confident that should they progress, they are strong enough to go on and win the entire competition for the first time in their respective histories.
How the bookies view it: Roma slight favourites
BoyleSports have Roma as slight 5/4 favourites to win the first leg at home, while a draw is valued at 11/5 and a Bilbao away victory at 2/1.
Recent head-to-head: All square in Rome
These two sides also met in Rome in the league phase, where the game finished in a 1-1 draw. Artem Dovbyk scored the opening goal just after the half-hour mark, before Aitor Paredes equalised for Bilbao with just five minutes to go.
In fact, both of Dovbyk's UEL goals this season have been the first in the match, and BoyleSports have him at 11/2 to repeat the trick.
Players to watch: Dovbyk the obvious danger
Dovbyk's goal against Bilbao in September was one of 14 that he has netted over all competitions so far this season – the most in the Roma squad.
Only Oihan Sancet can match his tally in the Bilbao squad, and BoyleSports are offering 3/1 odds for him to score anytime.
Predicted lineups
Dovbyk recently returned from injury against Como last time out, and scored the winning goal for Roma coming on as a substitute. He should be in line to start, but Leandro Paredes is suspended for this one.
Sancet passed a late fitness test and will be in the squad, but it remains to be seen whether he will start. Alvaro Djalo remains injured for Bilbao.
Roma: Svilar, Celik, Mancini, Ndicka, Saelemaekers, Kone, Cristante, Angelino, Dybala, Pellegrini, Dovbyk.
Athletic Bilbao: Simon, De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Yuri, Jauregizar, Vesga, I Williams, Gomez, N Williams, Sannadi.
Anything else catch the eye?
Roma and Bilbao have scored 11 and 13 goals respectively over their last five games in all competitions, while 15 and 18 total goals have been scored respectively across those five matches. Both averaging over two goals per game and matches averaging at least three goals per match, we can expect a high-scoring affair where both teams are likely to get on the scoresheet.
BoyleSports are offering 3/1 odds for Both Teams To Score (BTTS) and Over 3.5 total goals, which seems like a nice punt.
This UEFA Europa League match between Roma and Athletic Bilbao will be played on and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Roma vs Athletic Bilbao prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
