Roma will look to return to winning ways on Thursday evening as they welcome Viktoria Plzen to the Olimpico in the Europa League.
Roma made a winning start to their Europa League campaign, as they claimed a 1-2 win in the French Riviera against Nice on an evening where our man Gabriel landed a full-house of winners.
However, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men came unstuck against French opposition in their next fixture, losing 0-1 at home to Lille in a game they remarkably missed three penalties to grab a late leveller.
The Giallorossi began their Serie A campaign by winning five of their opening six matches, but they head into this clash off the back of another 0-1 at home, this time against Inter at the weekend.
Viktoria Plzen would’ve been frustrated after having conceded a stoppage-time leveller against Ferencvaros in their Europa League opener, but they bounced back in emphatic fashion, defeating Swedish side Malmo 3-0.
However, things haven’t been going to plan domestically for Martin Hysky’s side, as they sit fourth in the Czech First League table, a distant eight points behind leaders Sparta Prague.
How the bookies view it: Roma favourites
Despite losing each of their last two home matches 0-1, Roma head into this clash as clear favourites, with BoyleSports pricing a home success at just 4/11.
Viktoria Plzen are 6/1 with the same firm to leave the Italian capital with all three points, whilst the draw is 15/4.
Head to head: Home advantage for Roma
These two clubs have met on four occasions in European competitions in the last nine years, with Roma posting a record of W2-D1-L1.
The Giallorossi have won both meetings at the Olimpico convincingly, winning 4-1 in the Europa League group stages in 2016 and 5-0 two years later in the Champions League.
Players to watch: More Matias magic?
Matias Soule has proven to be Roma’s key player this season, with the Argentine scoring three goals and providing two assists in his nine appearances for the Giallorossi.
Soule is 13/8 to Score at Bet365, whilst he is 6/4 at PaddyPower to Assist, and either could be a sensible option here.
Predicted line-ups:
Roma are expected to be without fullback Angelino, but new loan signing Leon Bailey is available after injury.
Plzen will be without defender Merchas Doski following his red card against Malmo last time out.
Roma: Svilar, Celik, Hermoso, Mancini, Ndicka, Bailey, Kone, Cristante, Soule, Pellegrini, Dovbyk
Viktoria Plzen: Jedlicka, Dweh, Jemelka, Spacil, Valenta, Souare, Cerv, Paluska, Memic, Vydra, Durosinimi
Anything else catch the eye?
Roma have lost each of their last two home clashes in league and Europe, but I expect them to return to winning ways against Plzen on Thursday.
All six of Roma’s victories this season have featured fewer than four goals, and a repeat pays an appealing 13/10 at BoyleSports.
Both Teams to Score has failed to land in 7/9 (78%) of Roma’s matches in all competitions this season, and a repeat pays 20/21 also at BoyleSports.
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