Roma vs Porto Preview, Prediction, Team News and Predicted Lineups

 It’s all to play for between Roma and Porto in the Europa League play-offs after a 1-1 draw in the opening leg and you can find a preview, prediction, team news and predicted lineups below.

Roma vs Porto Preview

The opening leg of this European clash between Porto and Roma ended in a 1-1 stalemate, as Porto’s Francisco Moura scored in the 67th minute to cancel out Zeki Celik’s opener.

Roma will now welcome the Portuguese side to the Stadio Olimpico and the Serie A side have been on a superb run of form at home – winning seven from their last eight and drawing the other.

Claudio Ranieri’s side are coming off a huge 1-0 win away from home, as Matias Soule scored a glorious free kick to take all three points against Parma.

The Serie A giants will not be able to utilise Bryan Cristante, after the midfielder was sent off for two bookable offences in the first leg.

As for Porto, their away form has not been as strong as Roma’s performances at home, with the Portuguese side losing three of their last six – but are unbeaten from their last three.

Remaining unbeaten from their last six matches in all competitions will give the visitors huge confidence going into Thursday evening.

The previously mentioned Francisco Moura is also on a decent run of form, scoring in his last two appearances and the Portuguese star continues to contribute from wing-back.

This Europa League clash is a repeat of the 2018/19 Champions League RO16 meeting between the two, where Porto managed to progress after a 4-3 aggregate victory.

Roma vs Porto Team News

Roma will not be able to call upon two players that started in the opening leg, with Alexis Saelemaekers and Bryan Cristante are both out through suspension.

Gianluca Mancini was substituted at the break during Roma’s 1-0 win over Parma in Serie A, however, the defender should be okay to start on Thursday evening.

One absentee will be Devyne Rensch, who is recovering from injury and Lucas Gourna-Douath and Anass Salah-Eddine were not included Roma’s European squad after recently joining the club.

Paulo Dybala and Artem Dovbyk are both facing late fitness tests, with the former being the most unlikely as he recovers from a knee injury.

As for Porto, Martim Fernandes and Marko Grujic are the only guaranteed absences from the squad, while Vasco Souza is also a slight doubt.

Martin Anselmi will be able to call upon the rest of his squad and the Portuguese side will be hoping to repeat their 2018/19 UCL RO16 triumph.

Roma vs Porto Predicted Lineups

Roma: Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Abdulhamid, Kone, Paredes, Angelino; Soule, Pellegrini; Dovbyk

Porto: Costa; Djalo, Perez, Otavio; Mario, Eustaquio, Varela, Moura; Pepe, Mora; Aghehowa

Roma vs Porto Prediction

The Italian side are favourites on UK betting sites, as they are unbeaten in their last eight home matches – winning seven in a row before drawing to Napoli most recently.

With that in mind, we expect Claudio Ranieri’s side to earn a narrow victory and make their way into the next round of the Europa League.

Prediction: Roma 2-1 Porto