Thursday’s Europa League Semi-Final Tips: Roma can secure an important home win

The Europa League returns on Thursday with both semi-final first legs taking place in Italy. Football tipster Greg Lea has taken a look at the matches and provided his best bets. 

Roma v Bayer Leverkusen 

Kick-off: 8pm Thursday 

Roma, who won the Europa Conference League last season, are now hoping to go one better by triumphing in the continent’s secondary competition. Jose Mourinho has a rich history in Europe and he is under pressure to deliver for the Giallorossi, who look set to miss out on the top four in Serie A for a second successive season. 

Roma have been far from flawless in the Europa League up to now. They have lost four games in total, including the away legs in the knockout round play-offs (Red Bull Salzburg) and quarter-finals (Feyenoord). At the Stadio Olimpico, though, they have done the business. 

That is why Bayer Leverkusen are the underdogs on Thursday night. Xabi Alonso would probably settle for a draw in this first meeting in the Italian capital. Having said that, it is notable that Leverkusen have won each of their three away games in the Europa League this term. 

Alonso has done an excellent job at the BayArena since taking charge in October. Had the Bundesliga campaign begun at that point, Leverkusen would be behind only Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig in the standings. 

Roma are not in the best form, having failed to win any of their last four outings in the league. But Mourinho remains a master in Europe and his team have progressed from 10 of their last 11 knockout ties on the continent. This semi-final will not be decided on Thursday, but I fancy Roma’s chances of taking a first-leg lead to Germany.

Prediction: Roma to win @ 2.16

Juventus v Sevilla

Kick-off: 8pm Thursday

After a 2-0 home defeat by Monza at the end of January, Juventus dropped to 13th place in Serie A. They are now up to second. 

That is in part because their 15-point deduction was overturned, but Max Allegri’s men have been in fantastic form since their aforementioned nadir: only Napoli have claimed more points since the start of February.

Juve have advanced to the semi-finals of the Europa League with aggregate triumphs over Nantes (4-1), Freiburg (3-0) and Sporting CP (2-1). Allegri’s tendency towards caution has been criticised at times this term, but the experienced Italian will hope that his approach pays dividends in the coming weeks.

Sevilla are now safe from the threat of relegation in LaLiga and can therefore focus entirely on the Europa League. This is a competition the Spanish side love: they have won it six times in total, double the amount of the next most successful teams: Inter, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Juventus.

Jose Luis Mendilibar’s men stunned Manchester United in the quarters and will be full of belief heading into this tie. Sevilla have scored at least two goals in seven of their last nine matches, but they will have to strike the right balance between attack and defence on Thursday.

The first leg could be a slow burner, so do not be surprised if the deadlock has not been broken by half-time.

Prediction: 0-0 at half-time @ 2.56 

Thursday’s Europa League Tips

Roma v Bayer Leverkusen: Roma to win @ 2.16
Juventus v Sevilla: 0-0 at half-time @ 2.56