Roma welcome Lille to the Stadio Olimpico for their second league phase fixture in the UEFA Europa League. The Italians are having a solid campaign and come up against a French side still trying to find their feet this season.
Roma began their league phase campaign with a 2-1 victory at Nice, with goals from Evan Ndicka and Gianluca Mancini earning them the win. That result is part of a fine start to the season for Gian Piero Gasperini's team, who have won five of their six matches so far.
The capital club appear to be building their campaign on the back of a solid defence. They have kept clean sheets in four of their last six matches, including the 2-0 victory over Verona in Serie A last weekend.
Lille claimed a 2-1 home victory over Brann in their opening League phase fixture. Second-half goals from Hamza Igamane and Olivier Giroud were enough to earn them the win despite the visitors also getting on the score sheet.
That result was a rare moment to cheer for Lille, who have looked a bit off colour lately. Bruno Genesio's team have lost two of their last three matches in all competitions and were beaten 1-0 at home by Lyon in a Ligue 1 clash last Sunday.
How the bookies view it: Roma on top
The bookies have installed Roma as overwhelming favourites, with a home win valued at 4/6 by BoyleSports. A victory for Lille is valued at 10/3 while a draw is set at odds of 11/4.
Head to head: Only one meeting
There has been only one previous meeting between Roma and Lille, with the Italians picking up a 3-2 victory in a friendly back in 2019.
Players to watch: Soule to shine
Matias Soule is enjoying a fine start to the season and was on target in the win over Verona this weekend. Artem Dovbyk also got off the mark for the season last weekend, and both men can help the Italians produce over 1.5 goals – valued at 8/11 with BoyleSports.
Roma’s defence has been solid this season, with Mancini and Ndicka forming a solid partnership at the back. Having kept clean sheets in four of their last six matches, the Serie A side will be targeting a repeat on Thursday (Roma clean sheet – offered at 7/5).
Probable line-ups:
Leon Bailey, Paulo Dybala and Edoardo Bove remain out for Roma due to injuries. Mile Svilar should continue in goal, with Mancini and Ndicka in defence, while Lorenzo Pellegrini, Soule and Dovbyk are expected to lead the attack.
Lille will be without Alexsandro, Tiago Santos, Thomas Meunier, Romain Perraud, Ousmane Toure and Benjamin Andre due to injuries. However, Chancel Mbemba and Aissa Mandi are available to feature in defence, while Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Giroud and Hamza Igamane are set to start up front.
Roma: Svilar, Ndicka, Mancini, Celik, Wesley, Cristante, Kone, Tsimikas, Pellegrini, Soule, Dovbyk
Lille: Ozer, Mandi, Ngoy, Mbemba, Verdonk, Bentaleb, Mukau, Harraldsson, Fernandez-Pardo, Igamane, Giroud
Anything else catch the eye?
Roma have won to nil in four of their last six matches (Roma win to nil – available at 19/10 on BoyleSports). The Italians have won the first half in two of their last three matches (Roma halftime win – valued at odds of 13/10).
Four of Lille’s last six matches have produced more goals after the break (Second half most goals – set at odds of 1/1).
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