Roma v Bayer Leverkusen: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Roma entertain Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the Europa League semi in what is a rematch of last season’s last-four showdown, which Roma won 1-0 on aggregate.

Both ties last year were low-scoring and tense affairs, but it was Jose Mourinho's men who won 1-0 across the two legs to advance in the competition.

Since then, Mourinho has been replaced by Daniele De Rossi and his side have it all to do against Xabi Alonso's newly-crowned champions of Germany.

Roma v Bayer Leverkusen betting tips and predictions

Bayer Leverkusen to win - 21/20

Bayer have been awesome this season, beating perennial champions Bayern Munich to the top prize in Germany with five games to spare, while advancing to the final four in Europe.

Alonso’s side are still remarkably unbeaten across all competitions this term, and they will be determined to preserve that proud record on Thursday while also attempting to exact revenge against Roma, who knocked them out at this stage of this competition 12 months ago.

Leverkusen have been a tad sloppy in recent games, perhaps understandably after already wrapping up the title, and have needed late goals to earn draws against Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund to preserve their unbeaten league run.

However, now back in serious action in a European semi, they will surely be at full tilt for their trip to Rome. 

West Ham were sent packing in the previous round and Roma may well end up following the Hammers out of the competition with an away victory in the first leg likely to signal Leverkusen as the team eventually progressing through to the final in Dublin.

An away win, which looks good value at 21/20, appeals, especially when you also consider Leverkusen have won three of their five away games in the competition to progress this far.

Roma have been good at home of late, winning five of their last six at the Stadio Olimpico, but they were beaten on their most recent outing in front of their own fans, going down 3-1 to Bologna, to offer further hope of an away success for the Germans.

Draw/Leverkusen- HT/FT - 4/1

Leverkusen have been scoring more goals in second halves of matches recently so the 4/1 on them being level at half-time before going on to exert their superiority after the break looks tasty.

In their last three matches, which have all ended in a draw, they were level at half-time, while, overall, 10 of Bayer’s last 11 goals have come in the second 45 minutes.

That underlines their penchant for scoring later in matches as they overpower weaker opponents eventually.

Furthermore, Roma have failed to score in the first half in any of their last three outings so a tight, tense first period could well play out in the Italian capital before the visitors flex their muscles.

Patrik Schick to score anytime - 7/4

With Leverkusen expected to come out on top, they may have to rely on their impressive frontmen doing the business for them at the Stadio Olimpico.

Patrik Schick has not always been a regular starter for Alonso’s men in the Bundesliga, but he has still weighed in with a handy five league goals, whereas in Europe, he has excelled this season.

The Czech Republic international has scored five goals in the Europa League to help his side get this far, including three in the last-16 victory across both games over Qarabag, so he will be confident of adding more to his tally on Thursday.

The 28-year-old could find himself on the bench against Roma, having started the weekend 2-2 draw with Stuttgart, but even if that is the case, he remains a great option to bring on late on and could be a matchwinner as the game edges towards a conclusion.

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Roma v Bayer Leverkusen odds

Roma - 5/2
Draw - 13/5
Bayer Leverkusen - 21/20

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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.