Roma vs Brighton Prediction and Betting Tips: In form Paulo Dybala tipped to score

The Europa League returns this week with the start of the last-16 and one of the most eye-catching fixtures pits Serie A giants Roma against Premier League opponents Brighton.

Hosts Roma had to come through the knockout stage play-offs, beating Feyenoord on penalties after two legs, while the Seagulls progressed directly after winning Group B.

But Brighton have struggled for consistency in the Premier League recently and Roma have been on the up under Daniele De Rossi.

Team news

A thigh injury has ruled out Rasmus Kristensen for Roma, who will also be without Rick Karsdorp, leaving them light at right-back.

English striker Tammy Abraham is still recovering from an ACL injury and will not feature.

For visitors Brighton, Joao Pedro, who has scored six Europa League goals this term, is a doubt.

The Seagulls will also be without Kaoru Mitoma, Solly March, Jack Hinshelwood and James Milner.

• Roma (4-3-3): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Smalling, Angelino; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Dybala, Lukaku, El Shaarawy.
• Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Lamptey, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; Gross, Baleba; Adingra, Enciso, Buonanotte; Welbeck. 

The notion of new manager bounce has certainly been true for Roma, who have excelled since De Rossi replaced Jose Mourinho in the Stadio Olimpico dugout in January.

The capital club had endured an inconsistent first half of the season, but have lost only one of their first nine games under De Rossi and even that was against Serie A table-toppers Inter Milan.

De Rossi oversaw his side's knockout stage play-off success against Feyenoord and they have won each of their last two matches 3-2 and 4-1 against Torino and Monza respectively.

They are in terrific form and are high on confidence, so they look likely winners of this match in Rome, despite Brighton's decent group stage showing.

The Seagulls finished above Marseille, Ajax and AEK Athens in their section, but they have faltered more recently, having won only one of their last five games, putting their hopes of a Premier League top-six finish in jeopardy.

The possible absence of top Europa League scorer Joao Pedro will also do them no favours and Roma should win this one.

If the Italians get over the line and win the first leg, Paulo Dybala could well have played a part.

Romelu Lukaku has been the club's premier marksman in the Europa League this term, but Dybala has scored 12 goals in Serie A this term and can cause Roberto De Zerbi's men some problems.

The Argentinian has been a revelation since joining the club and was on target in the win over Monza last time out.