Athletic Bilbao Aim to Keep Their Europa League Dream Alive

Athletic Bilbao vs AS Roma

Athletic Bilbao’s Europa League dream is in peril after falling to a one-goal deficit against AS Roma in the Round of 16. There’s still hope for Los Leones to turn things around, but they must bring their A-game in front of their home fans in the return leg this Thursday. The Europa League final will be held at San Mames in May, and Ernesto Valverde’s men want to be there (not as part of the audience) when it happens. They are fresh from a 1-1 draw against Mallorca in La Liga, extending their winless run to three matches across all competitions. 

AS Roma are in resurgent form. The Giallorossi are undefeated in eight consecutive matches across all competitions, including last week’s narrow 1-0 win over Empoli in Serie A.

Which team will come out on top after this tie is over? Learn more about these two sides in today’s SBOTOP match preview.

 

Talking Points

Athletic Bilbao are compromised at the back

Ernesto Valverde will likely feature a new back four because he won’t have two of his best centre-backs. Dani Vivian suffered an injury in last week’s leg and is doubtful in the return leg, and Yeray Alvarez must serve his suspension after being sent off last week. Aitor Paredes, who started in Vivian’s place against Mallorca, could therefore partner Unai Nunez in a new-look back four alongside Oscar de Marcos and Yuri Berchiche. 

Athletic Bilbao will also be without Oihan Sancet (thigh) and Alvaro Djalo (ankle) since they haven’t returned to training. However, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta returns after serving a one-match domestic ban.

Inaki Williams, who scored Los Leones’ lone goal in the first leg, will lead the attack alongside brother Nico Williams, with Maroan Sannadi and Gorka Guruzeta vying to join them in the final third. Nico found the back of the net in the team’s draw against Mallorca.

Inaki Williams has scored five Europa League goals this term – the joint-most any Ghanaian international has scored in a campaign, level with Tony Yeboah (1992-93), Michael Essien (2004-05), Patrick Twumasi (2017-18), and Mohammed Kudus (2022-23 and 2023-24).

 

Key returns for AS Roma

Claudio Ranieri is expected to deploy his best lineup to close the deal against Athletic Bilbao after rotating his squad against Empoli. Angelino, Paulo Dybala, and Artem Dovbyk didn’t start last Monday, but they should return to the XI this Thursday. Gianluca Mancini and Leandro Paredes are also available for selection after the former also missed the Empoli match and the latter finished his one-game UEFA ban.

AS Roma would likely stick to their back three of Evan Ndicka, Mats Hummels, and Victor Nelsson with Devyne Rensch as the first off-the-bench option since Zeki Celik (thigh) was ruled out. Matias Soule, who scored the marginal goal against Empoli, is also vying to keep his starting position against Athletic Bilbao. 

 

History

AS Roma beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 in the first leg of their Europa League Round of 16 tie last week at Stadio Olimpico, as Angelino and Eldor Shomurodov overturned a one-goal deficit created by Inaki Williams in the 50^th minute.

Athletic Bilbao have won all four of their Europa League matches at San Mames this season. Los Leones also won eight of their 10 European home matches against Italian opposition (D1, L1), with their lone loss being a 3-2 result against Torino in the second leg of their 2014-15 Europa League Round of 32 tie.

AS Roma have progressed from each of their last nine European knockout ties when winning the first leg. The last time they were eliminated after winning the first leg was in the last 16 of the 2018-19 Champions League against Porto (2-1 in the first leg, 1-3 in the second leg).

With 97 victories from 185 matches, AS Roma are the winningest team in Europa League history.

 

Betting Tip

The Europa League 2025 odds expect a close affair between Athletic Bilbao and AS Roma. Because they’re playing at home, Athletic Bilbao have a slight advantage at 1.97, whereas AS Roma are at 3.46, and a draw is at 3.08 in the 1X2 market.

Picking the winner of this fixture is difficult since these two teams are evenly matched, so we have Total Goals 2-3 at 1.97 as our recommended bet. Athletic Bilbao and AS Roma should give football fans their dose of Europa League 2025 highlights, regardless of the result. Furthermore, a Correct Score of 2-1 in favour of AS Roma – the rerun of the first leg – is priced at 13.50 your bet.

   

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