Roma vs Plzen Preview Prediction Team News and Lineups
On Thursday evening, AS Roma will face Viktoria Plzen at the iconic Stadio Olimpico in a highly anticipated Europa League clash. Both teams are looking to secure valuable points in their current group stage campaigns.
Match Overview
Roma, who previously suffered a narrow defeat to Lille in dramatic circumstances, will aim to rebound with a strong performance. Notably, they experienced a heart-wrenching penalty miss in that match, where the Lille goalkeeper saved three consecutive penalties.
Despite that setback, Roma currently holds three points in the group, having previously achieved a victory against Nice. Their recent domestic form includes a mix of results, including a win against Fiorentina and a loss to Inter Milan, which has left them fifth in the Serie A standings.
Roma’s Historical Context in the Europa League
The Italian side has been a regular in UEFA’s second-tier tournament and is on the brink of setting a new record. A victory against Viktoria Plzen will mark their 99th win in the competition, surpassing their current total of 98. Their historical performance includes a significant 4-1 victory over Plzen in November 2016.
Viktoria Plzen’s Recent Performances
Viktoria Plzen arrives in Rome with the confidence of an unbeaten start in the group stage. After a 1-1 draw against Ferencvaros, they secured an impressive 3-0 victory over Malmo, showcasing their attacking capabilities.
- Key Player: Rafiu Durosinmi, who has been pivotal in their recent matches.
- Recent Changes: The club recently sacked coach Miroslav Koubek and appointed Martin Hysky.
- Current League Position: Plzen holds a one-point lead over Roma in the group standings.
Injury and Team News
Roma’s head coach, Gian Piero Gasperini, may have to adapt his strategy due to the underwhelming performance of his forwards. Paulo Dybala could be utilized in a false nine role, while the team may also see a return from injury for loan signing Leon Bailey.
For Viktoria Plzen, the absence of Iraqi defender Merchas Doski due to suspension will be felt. Additionally, Jan Kopic and Jiri Panos are unlikely to feature in Thursday’s match.
Predicted Lineups
| AS Roma | Viktoria Plzen |
|---|---|
| Svilar | Jedlicka |
| Celik, Mancini, Ndicka | Jemelka, Dweh, Spacil |
| Rensch, Cristante, El Aynaoui, Tsimikas | Valenta, Souare, Cerv, Havel |
| Bailey, Baldanzi | Memic, Vydra |
| Dovbyk | Durosinmi |
Match Prediction
Considering their impressive home record in European competitions, Roma is favored to win. They have not lost consecutive home games in Europe since 2014, and against a team like Viktoria Plzen, who struggle in away matches, it is likely they will secure all three points.
Expect a tightly contested match, with Roma possibly clinching a narrow 1-0 victory over their Czech rivals.
