Roma-Ludogorets is a match for the sixth day of the Europa League group stage and will be played on Thursday at 21:00: statistics, training odds, predictions, live free-to-air TV and streaming.
In Group C of the Europa League, the names are known of the team that will go through as first, earning direct qualification to the round of 16 without going through the play-offs (Betis), and the one that is now mathematically out of it all (Hjk Helsinki). The last verdict remains to be announced: who will advance as second behind the Spaniards and who, in February, will have to face the relegated Champions League champions in order to enter the top sixteen of the competition. A place that Roma and Ludogorets, both paired on seven points, are ready to contend for on the turf of the Olimpico. José Mourinho, as he did several times last year, has summoned his people. The Giallorossi, in fact, have no alternative but to win if they want to avoid slipping to third place and relegating to the Conference League.
And the reason lies in the result of the first leg, with Roma surprisingly defeated 2-1 in the Bulgarian away match: Nonato’s goal two minutes from 90 minutes was decisive. In the event of a draw, therefore, Ludogorets would fly to the play-offs by virtue of their advantage in the direct clashes. Pellegrini and his team-mates, therefore, absolutely cannot make a mistake. Meanwhile, in the league, the third success in the last four matches has arrived: Roma have beaten three opponents within reach such as Sampdoria, Hjk and Verona, surrendering only to Napoli, first in the standings. On Monday they came out on top in the final stages against the Scaligeri (1-3) after having come close to taking only a point from the Bentegodi: youngster Volpato, thrown into the fray by the Portuguese, was the star player. And now he prepares for a fiery derby against Lazio.
In their own league, Ludogorets are also running fast, but the men coached by Ante Simundza have to make up five points on top-placed Cska Sofia. In the last month, the only defeat was against Betis in the cup (0-1), otherwise almost exclusively victories for the green-and-whites. They have, however, failed to win for 11 Europa League away matches, in which they have always conceded at least one goal. Mourinho, in spite of the imminent extra-cittadina, will face the Bulgarians with most of the starters, including Zaniolo, whose disqualification has just been reduced by Uefa. Absent, however, will be defender Mancini, who will most likely be replaced by Vina.
Ante Simundza
The Prediction
The feeling is that Ludogorets will not arrive in the capital resigned. Far from it. The Giallorossi are at another level, it is quite obvious, but in the first leg the Bulgarians proved to be very organised and therefore insidious. It will be a potentially more balanced match than expected, in which both should find the way of the goal. Roma, being an inside or outside match, remain slight favourites for victory in any case.
Roma v Ludogorets likely line-up
- ROMA (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Viña, Smalling, Kumbulla; Karsdorp, Cristante, Camara, Zalewski; Pellegrini, Zaniolo; Abraham.
- LUDOGORETS (4-2-3-1): Padt; Witry, Verdon, Nedyalkov, Cicinho; Piotrowski, Pedrinho; Tekpetey, Cauly, Rick; Thiago.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
