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Welcome to our Europa League Round of 16 prediction, where we dissect the upcoming clash between Brighton and Roma at Falmer Stadium. After a thrilling first leg in Rome, the English side finds themselves trailing 4-0 on aggregate. Despite dominating possession, Brighton was unable to convert their chances, while Roma showcased clinical finishing prowess, securing two goals in each half, dismantling not just Brightonβs defence but also their confidence.
Roma's European pedigree proved pivotal, as they capitalised on their experience to establish a commanding lead. As both teams prepare for the second leg, Brighton faces an uphill battle to overturn the deficit and progress to the next round.
Can Brighton stage a remarkable comeback on home turf, or will Roma's proficiency see them through to the quarterfinals? Join us as we analyse the key factors and make our predictions for what promises to be an enthralling Europa League encounter.
The aggressive attacking approach from both sides, coupled with defensive vulnerabilities and the necessity for Brighton to chase goals, suggests a high-scoring affair with over 2.5 goals likely.
The betting tip is...
Over 2.5 goals to be scored.
70 %
30 %
Brighton will see Solly March, Joao Pedro, and James Milner sidelined for at least the month of March. Mitoma and Hinshelwood will also remain sidelined for at least a month. Enciso and Ansu Fati, who recently recovered from injuries, add depth to the squad.
The offensive duties will primarily fall on Pascal Gross, Simon Adingra, and Evan Ferguson, who have been consistent performers throughout the season. Defensively, Lewis Dunk and Van Hecke will face a daunting task as they aim to keep Roma's attacking threats at bay. Their solidity at the back will be crucial in Brighton's quest for a turnaround in the tie.
Gross, Adingra and Ferguson are the key goal scoring players.
Predicted Lineup: Jason Steele, Pervis Estupinan, Lewis Dunk, Jan van Hecke, Tariq Lamptey, Pascal Gross, Billy Gilmour, Facundo Buonanotte, Julio Enciso, Simon Adingra, Evan Ferguson.
Roma will miss Tammy Abraham, Chris Smalling, and Renato Sanches until late March, with Kristensen returning in April. However, there's concern over the fitness of Paulo Dybala, who suffered a knock and is doubtful for the upcoming match.
In Dybala's potential absence, Romelu Lukaku will shoulder the responsibility of finding the back of the net in England, given his status as the second-highest goalscorer for Roma. Lorenzo Pellegrini will also be a key figure to watch out for, with his contributions in both goals and assists proving vital this season.
Additionally, midfielders Leandro Paredes and Bryan Cristante have each provided four assists so far, showcasing their importance in Roma's creative setup.
Lukaku and El Shaarawy are the key goal scoring players.
Predicted Lineup: Mile Svilar, Leonardo Spinazzola, Evan Ndicka, Gianluca Mancini, Zeki Celik, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Leandro Paredes, Bryan Cristante, Stephan El Shaarawy, Romelu Lukaku, Nicola Zalewski.
In this highly anticipated Europa League clash, Roma holds a significant advantage with a commanding 4-0 lead from the first leg. Despite Brighton's dominance in possession, they struggled to convert chances, while Roma displayed clinical efficiency in front of goal. With doubts over Paulo Dybala's fitness, there could be some vulnerabilities.
However, Roma's depth and experience, particularly with Romelu Lukaku leading the line, give them the edge. Brighton's offensive efforts will rely heavily on Pascal Gross and Simon Adingra, but overcoming Roma's defence will be a tough task. We predict Evan Ferguson to be on the scoresheet. Expect Roma to maintain their lead and secure a spot in the quarterfinals with a solid performance.
