football | Monday, March 4, 2024 8:48 AM (Revised at: Monday, March 4, 2024 9:26 AM)

Roma vs Brighton Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

Daniele Fisichella

To mark the beginning of Europa League’s Round of 16 and the return of Roberto De Zerbi to Italy, we’ve prepared Roma vs Brighton prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview, courtesy of our expert, Daniele Fisichella.

Our Roma vs Brighton prediction is for Roma to win the match 2-1.

Roma vs Brighton Prediction, Team News, Lineups and Fixtures Preview

Roma vs Brighton Tip 1: Roma Asian Handicap -0.25
Roma vs Brighton Tip 2: Over 2.5 Goals
Roma vs Brighton Tip 3: Roma To Score In The First Half – Yes

In this article:

Roma vs Brighton Team News and Possible Lineups
Roma vs Brighton Match Stats
Roma Fixtures
Brighton Fixtures
Safer Gambling

Roma vs Brighton Tip 1: I am De Rossi, I solve problems

Europa League, Round of 16, 1st leg, Thursday, March 7th, 17:45 (UK)

The Giallorossi are continuing to fly under Daniele De Rossi. Their 4-1 win at Monza last Saturday was their sixth success in the last nine games, since the former captain replaced Josè Mourinho on the bench.

Roma are not only scoring for fun (they’ve got Serie A’s second-best attack, with 52 goals, and have netted 22 times since 20 January), but seem to have also found the consistency they lacked under the Portuguese manager.

In fact, with De Rossi in charge, they’ve now won three games in a row for the second time this season, something they’ve only achieved twice since the 2022/2023 campaign under Mou.

Truth be told, Roma have had a soft run of fixtures lately as they’ve only faced one top side, Inter, to which they lost 4-2.

In contrast, in the last six Serie A games that led to Mourinho’s sacking, they played against Fiorentina, Bologna, Napoli, Juventus, Atalanta and AC Milan, collecting only five points.

Tougher tests will come for De Rossi, but for now, credit to him for having ‘fixed’ Roma and restored the players’ confidence.

Roma vs Brighton Tip 1: Roma Asian Handicap -0.25 (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 2.00
Bookmaker: bet365
Stake: 10/10

Roma vs Brighton Tip 2: a hot crowd and an amazing record

The Stadio Olimpico factor can’t be underestimated, considering Roma have reached two European finals in the last two seasons, and Brighton are debutant in continental competitions.

Even before De Rossi’s arrival Roma’s record at home was extraordinary: they’ve scored at least a goal in the last 29 games in all competitions. The last time they drew a blank was in April 2023 against Inter.

But their pedigree in European knockout ties is even more impressive. The 1-1 draw in the Europa League’s play-offs against Feyenoord (which led to a win on penalties) was Roma’s 17th consecutive positive result, with the last defeat coming in February 2017 (Roma vs Villareal 0-1) when Daniele De Rossi was still a player.

During this seven-years-long unbeaten run, the hosts have won 14 and drawn three home matches as teams like Barça, Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Sociedad, and Bayer Leverkusen all left the Olimpico empty-handed.

When it comes to Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton it is always hard to imagine a low scoring game.

Seventeen of their 26 Premier League matches (65%) have produced at least three goals and The Seagulls have scored in eight out of 10 cup matches this season, both in England and in Europe.

Roma vs Brighton Tip 2: Over 2.5 Goals (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 2.02
Bookmaker: bet365
Stake: 6/10

Roma vs Brighton Tip 3: a tough return to Italy for De Zerbi?

The visitors were beaten 3-0 on Saturday by Fulham, their fourth defeat in the last seven in all competitions, and will require a big improvement in performance if they want to keep this tie alive.

The defeat saw Brighton drop down to ninth in the Premier League as they continue to struggle to find consistency. After winning four of their first five league games, De Zerbi’s men have only managed back-to-back wins once in all competitions.

The long list of injured players, including Mitoma, Gilmour and Joao Pedro (Europa League’s second joint goalscorer, alongside Lukaku, with six goals), has affected them all season long.

In fact Brighton have made 103 changes to their starting line-ups in the Premier League this season, at least 25 more than any other side.

Domestically, they suffer against teams defending deep (which should not be the case for Roma under De Rossi), but their away form has been very patchy. They’ve already lost eight games on the road, only kept four clean sheets in 20 games in all competitions, but also scored in 15 away matches.

Two players to look out for are Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini.

The Argentine has netted 21 of his 31 Roma goals at the Olimpico and has scored seven goals and also provided one assist in his last five Serie A appearances.

The Italian attacking midfielder seems completely reborn in the last month: five goals in the last nine matches have helped him to match his overall tally (eight) from last season.

Roma vs Brighton Tip 3: Roma To Score In The First Half – Yes (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 2.00
Bookmaker: bet365
Stake: 7/10

Roma vs Brighton Prediction odds via bet365 as at 20:30, March 2nd, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Roma vs Brighton Team News and Possible Lineups: visitors are missing three key players

Some doubts for De Rossi, who could deploy three center-backs. Karsdorp is a doubt, Angelino might play as right back, but Celik had a good game against Monza.

Dybala, Lukaku and El Shaarawy will play up front, with Cristante, Paredes and Pellegrini in support.

For Brighton, Milner, Mitoma and Joao Pedro are all unavailable due to injury. Gilmour is a doubt; Evan Ferguson will lead the attack.

“We’re going through a very tough period,” said manager Roberto De Zerbi after their defeat against Fulham on Saturday.

“A lot of injuries, a lot of games, but we knew before the season started that this season could be so tough.

“I don’t know if we’ll lose or win on Thursday, but I’m sure we will play with another attitude, energy and character.”

Roma possible starting lineup:Svilar; Angelino, Mancini, Smalling, Ndicka; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Dybala, Lukaku, El Shaarawy

Brighton possible starting lineup:Verbruggen; Lamptey, van Hecke, Dunk, Igor; Gross, Baleba; Adingra, Buonanotte, Fati; Ferguson

Match Stats: Brighton are ‘chopping and changing’

After winning their first two Premier League away games this season, Brighton have won just two of their last 12 on the road (D3 L7), losing three of their last four.
After scoring in a club record 32 consecutive league games from the start of March 2023, Brighton have now failed to score in five of their last 11. Four of these matches have come in their last seven away games.
Daniele De Rossi has won three consecutive Serie A away matches with Roma.
Paulo Dybala has scored 122 goals in Serie A, and is the third all-time Argentinian goal scorer in Italy’s top flight.
Brighton have made 103 changes to their starting XI in the Premier League this season, their most in a single campaign in the competition.

Roma Fixtures: the derby is fast approaching

Vs Fiorentina (A)
Vs Brighton (A)
Vs Sassuolo (H)
Vs Lecce (A)
Vs Lazio (H)

Brighton Fixtures: three home fixtures before Anfield

Vs Nottingham Forest (H)
Vs Roma (H)
Vs Manchester City (H)
Vs Liverpool (A)
Vs Brentford (A)

Safer Gambling

At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.

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