Roma v Athletic Bilbao: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Roma will be looking to build on their first win of the season in their UEFA Europa League opener but may have to settle for a point against an in-form Athletic Bilbao.

The Basque outfit have been in great form through the early stages of the campaign and may prove to be tricky customers in the Italian capital. 

Roma v Athletic Bilbao betting tips and predictions

Draw - 9/4 

New boss Juric will be hoping to build momentum at Roma and an opening European victory would certainly help win over the fans, who were not too pleased with the sacking of club legend De Rossi. 

The Wolves have been excellent in this competition over recent years, making the semi-finals twice and final once in their last three appearances in the UEFA Europa League, so expectations will be high for the Croatian to lead them into the knockout phase. 

Roma will be confident given that record, although a winning start may prove beyond them as they welcome an in-form Bilbao to the Italian capital. 

Ernesto Valverde’s men have won four of their last five matches and they have already shown their aptitude for knockout football, winning the Copa del Rey last season. 

Based on that form, it would be fair to expect a win from Bilbao. but Roma have triumphed in 10 of their last 12 UEFA Europa League home games and their players will still be out to impress their new boss. 

Athletic Bilbao have struggled in Italy over the years too, winning just one of their nine trips, so while they have the talent and nous to avoid defeat in Rome, a win may also prove beyond them.

Both teams have far easier games to come in the UEFA Europa League and will likely be happy to take a point apiece.  

Both teams to score - 10/11

With both teams relatively well matched, it would be fair to expect a tight game at the Stadio Olimpico, but it could prove to be a close match full of excitement. 

Roma will go on the front foot at home, just as they did when racking up 16 shots in their 3-0 win over Udinese, as Juric looks to please the fans early on. 

The Wolves should have no issues scoring past Bilbao, who have managed just two clean sheets in their seven matches this term, especially given the attacking talent at their disposal, with Artem Dovbyk, Paulo Dybala and Matias Soule all capable goal-getters. 

However, keeping out the Basque side may prove to be more difficult. Valverde’s men have netted eight goals when winning their last three matches and also boast plenty of attacking stars, even with Nico Williams out injured. 

Roma still gave up nine shots against Udinese and are far from watertight, so taking both teams to score - a bet which has landed in 10 of Bilbao’s last 15 games - could prove a profitable play for Thursday’s clash. 

Ginaluca Mancini anytime scorer - 10/1

Many goalscorer backers will be looking at Dovbyk in this match as he has netted in each of Roma’s last two games. However, he failed to score in both appearances against Bilbao last term with Girona and could be nullified again. 

Dybala is therefore the likeliest to find the net for Roma following his 13-goal haul in Serie A last term and his elite ability, but at the prices it could be worth looking further afield for a goalscorer. 

Gianluca Mancini was a huge part of Roma’s run to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals last term, netting in both quarter-final legs versus AC Milan as well as against Brighton in the last 16. 

The Italian defender is yet to score this term but has still been lively from set pieces, registering four shots in five games, and he could have another big impact in Europe against Bilbao. 

The Lions have conceded seven goals this season and given four of those have come from a set piece, it could pay to take the double-figure odds about Mancini finding the net on Thursday.

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Roma v Athletic Bilbao odds

Roma - 11/10
Draw - 9/4
Athletic Bilbao - 14/5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.