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The UEFA Europa League returns with a pivotal clash as Roma welcome Porto to Stadio Olimpico on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 17:45 UK time. With a 1-1 draw in the first leg, both teams will battle for a place in the last 16, with the winners potentially facing Athletic Bilbao or Roma’s city rivals, Lazio.

Interesting Fact:

Porto have faced Roma in three previous knockout ties and have won all three. However, Roma have an excellent Europa League home record, going unbeaten in their last four home matches in the competition.

Team Analysis

Roma

Current Form (Last 5 Matches)

• ✅ Win vs Parma (Serie A)
• 🤝 Draw vs Porto (Europa League)
• ✅ Win vs Frosinone (Serie A)
• 🤝 Draw vs Empoli (Serie A)
• ❌ Loss vs Juventus (Serie A)

Key Players

• Artem Dovbyk – The Ukrainian striker has two Europa League goals this season.
• Matias Soule – Stepped up in Dybala’s absence and scored the winner against Parma.
• Lorenzo Pellegrini – Roma’s creative force in midfield.

Injuries & Suspensions

• ❌ Bryan Cristante (Suspended)
• ❌ Alexis Saelemaekers (Suspended)
• ❓ Gianluca Mancini (Doubtful – ankle injury)
• ❌ Devyne Rensch (Injured)
• ❌ Lucas Gourna-Douath & Anass Salah-Eddine (Ineligible for Europa League squad)

Home Form

• Undefeated in their last 4 Europa League home matches (W3, D1).
• Have not lost at Stadio Olimpico in 8 matches across all competitions.

Porto

Current Form (Last 5 Matches)

• ✅ Win vs Farense (Primeira Liga)
• 🤝 Draw vs Roma (Europa League)
• ❌ Loss vs Boavista (Primeira Liga)
• 🤝 Draw vs Benfica (Primeira Liga)
• ❌ Loss vs Braga (Primeira Liga)

Key Players

• Samu Aghehowa – Porto’s top scorer in the Europa League (5 goals).
• Francisco Moura – Scored in both the first leg against Roma and their last Primeira Liga match.
• Otavio – The midfield general who dictates Porto’s tempo.

Injuries & Suspensions

• ❌ Marko Grujic (Injured)
• ❌ Martim Fernandes (Injured)
• ❓ Tiago Djalo (Doubtful)

Away Form

• Porto have only 1 win in their last 4 Europa League away matches.
• Undefeated in their last 3 away matches in all competitions.

Head-to-Head & Past Encounters

• 📅 First leg result: Porto 1-1 Roma (Estádio do Dragão)
• 📊 Last meeting at Stadio Olimpico: Roma 2-1 Porto (2019)
• ⚔️ Porto have never lost a knockout tie against Roma, winning all three previous encounters.
• ⚽ Porto have only one win in their last 26 UEFA knockout away matches.

Prediction

🔮 Goal.mu/Mauri.bet predicts: Roma 2-1 Porto (Agg: 3-2)

Roma’s impressive home form gives them the edge, but Porto’s ability to step up in knockout games makes this a tight contest. Expect a close encounter with Roma progressing to the next round.

Betting Tips

Both Teams to Score: Yes ✅

• Porto have scored in their last four Europa League matches.
• Roma have scored in all four home matches in the competition.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 ✅

• Roma’s last three home matches in the Europa League have seen over 2.5 goals.
• Porto’s last two Europa League away games have produced over 2.5 goals.

Anytime Goalscorer: Artem Dovbyk ✅

• Dovbyk has two goals in the competition and should lead the line for Roma.

Hot Stat

📊 Roma have won 13 of their last 16 Europa League home matches – one of the best home records in the competition.

Possible Lineups

Roma (3-4-2-1)

Svilar
Mancini – Hummels – Ndicka
Abdulhamid – Kone – Paredes – Angelino
Soule – Pellegrini
Dovbyk

Porto (3-4-3)

Costa
Djalo – Perez – Otavio
Mario – Eustaquio – Varela – Moura
Pepe – Mora
Aghehowa

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