Porto vs Roma: Prediction, Team News & Lineups | Feb 13, 2025

Portuguese giants Porto will take on Serie A side Roma at Estádio do Dragão on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 8:00 pm UK time, in the first leg of their Europa League knockout round play-offs. Roma seek to end a poor record against Porto, having lost all three previous ties between the clubs, while the hosts aim to extend their dominance in this fixture.

Interesting Fact:

Porto have eliminated Roma in all three of their previous European encounters, including a dramatic 4-3 aggregate victory in the 2018-19 Champions League Round of 16.

Team Analysis

Porto

Porto narrowly secured their spot in the playoffs, finishing 18th in the league phase. A nervy 1-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv on the final matchday proved crucial, ensuring they did not get eliminated by fellow Portuguese side Braga.

Under new coach Martin Anselmi, Porto have shown signs of improvement, though their league form has been shaky, failing to win in five consecutive Primeira Liga matches.

Form:

• Last 5 matches: D-D-W-L-D
• Last match: 1-1 draw vs Sporting CP

Key Players:

• Samu Aghehowa: The Spanish striker has been Porto’s top scorer in this Europa League campaign with five goals.
• Danny Namaso: Scored a dramatic 94th-minute equaliser against Sporting CP, proving his importance in big moments.

Injuries/Suspensions:

• Ivan Marcano (out, injury)
• Marko Grujic (out, injury)
• Martim Fernandes (out, injury)

Roma

Roma finished 15th in the Europa League league phase and secured their playoff spot with a crucial 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on the final matchday. The Giallorossi have had mixed fortunes in Serie A this season, sitting in ninth place under interim manager Claudio Ranieri.

Despite struggles in domestic competition, Roma’s recent European pedigree is strong. They won the UEFA Conference League in 2022 and reached the Europa League final in 2023 before making the semi-finals in 2024.

Form:

• Last 5 matches: W-W-D-L-W
• Last match: 1-0 win vs Venezia

Key Players:

• Paulo Dybala: The Argentine playmaker remains Roma’s most creative force, with his ability to unlock defences.
• Artem Dovbyk: The Ukrainian striker has scored twice in this season’s Europa League.

Injuries/Suspensions:

• Lucas Gourna-Douath (not registered for Europa League)
• Anass Salah-Eddine (not registered for Europa League)

Head-to-Head and Past Encounters

• Porto have won all three previous knockout ties against Roma (1981-82, 2016-17, 2018-19).
• The last meeting ended in a 3-1 extra-time victory for Porto in the 2019 Champions League Round of 16.
• Roma have won just three of their last 19 away Europa League matches.

Prediction

Goal.mu/Mauri.bet predicts: Porto 2-1 Roma

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Porto’s strong home record in European knockout ties and their historical dominance over Roma make them slight favourites. However, Roma’s recent European success suggests this will be a closely fought encounter.

Betting Tips

1. Both Teams to Score: Yes
2. Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 Goals
3. Anytime Goalscorer: Samu Aghehowa

Possible Lineups

Porto (3-4-2-1):
Costa; Djalo, Perez, Otavio; Mario, Eustaquio, Varela, Moura; Pepe, Mora; Aghehowa

Roma (3-4-2-1):
Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Kone, Paredes, Angelino; Dybala, Pisilli; Dovbyk

Hot Stat

Roma have won just one of their last six away matches in all competitions, struggling to find consistency on the road.

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