Brighton vs Roma Prediction and Betting Tips: Leandro Paredes to be booked
Brighton know they will have to pull off one of the biggest comebacks in Europa League history if they are to overcome Roma in their last-16 second-round clash on Thursday night.
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The Seagulls slumped to a 4-0 defeat in the first leg at the Stadio Olimpico, with Paolo Dybala, Romelu Lukaku, Gianluca Mancini, and Bryan Cristante all getting on the scoresheet for the Giallorossi.
While it’s highly unlikely we will see Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls in the Europa League quarter-finals this season, Albion won’t go down without a fight at the Amex Stadium.
Team news
Starting with Brighton, De Zerbi is dealing with a host of injury issues, with the likes of Solly March, Kaoru Mitoma, Jack Hinshelwood, James Milner and top goalscorer Joao Pedro all sidelined.
In more positive news for the hosts, Igor and Julio Enciso are pushing for a return and could possibly make the bench, while Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour has completed his recent suspension and is expected to start.
With Pedro out with a thigh injury, De Zerbi has a decision to make up top, with Danny Welbeck and Evan Ferguson battling for the starting role.
As for Roma, defender Rasmus Kristensen and forward Tammy Abraham remain unavailable, but Dybala is fit after overcoming a recent knock.
Manager Daniele De Rossi could be tempted to tinker with his starting lineup, given his side’s strong position in the tie.
Fringe players Tommaso Baldanzi, Nicola Zalewski and Edoardo Bove will all be pushing for starts.
Predicted XIs for both teams
- Brighton (4-2-3-1): Steele; Lamptey, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Gilmour, Gross; Adingra, Lallana, Fati; Welbeck.
- Roma (4-3-3): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Ndicka, Zalewski; Bove, Paredes, Pellegrini; Dybala, Lukaku, El Shaarawy.
Brighton vs Roma Tips
While Brighton have had mixed form of late, their home record has been impressive in recent months.
Without a defeat in 13 consecutive games in all competitions at the Amex Stadium, Brighton should prove a much tougher proposition to the one Roma faced at the Stadio Olimpico.
Albion also kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Europa League before their trip to the Eternal City, showing that they can keep things tight at the back in this competition.
In contrast, Roma’s away form in the Europa League has much to be desired, with the Giallorossi winning just one of their last nine games.
Brighton have the ability to win on the night and keep Roma off the scoresheet, but it’s unlikely to be enough for the Seagulls to progress.
The hosts will look to keep hold of the ball for large spells and that might well frustrate a certain Leandro Paredes.
Roma’s Argentinian midfielder has collected an impressive 12 yellow cards in Serie A this season and a further two in the Europa League.
In a bid to stop Brighton getting too much momentum in this game, it would be little surprise to see Paredes add to his card collection in this one.
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