Roma VS Villarreal Match Prediction

These sides have now met three times.  Each have been in this competition, but two of the meetings came in the old UEFA Cup format.

Feb 16, 2017: Villarreal 0-4 Roma
Mar 25, 2004: Roma 1-2 Villarreal
Mar 11, 2004: Villarreal 2-0 Roma

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Roma vs Villarreal Prediction

Neither side will likely put much into this match as it represents something that's already just about set in stone.  As a result, look for the second team stars to play out a draw as the focus shifts to bigger things at the weekend.

Correct Score Prediction: AS Roma 1-1 Villarreal

Roma vs Villarreal Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have Roma at 8/11 to win, a draw is at 13/5, and a Villarreal win is at 15/4.

The double chance for a Villarreal win or a draw is at 23/20.

Both teams to score is at ¾ for yes and at 1/1 for no.

A wager on a 1-0 win for Roma at full time could bring you 13/1 odds if correct.

To qualify for the round of 16, Roma are at 1/100.  Villarreal is at quite the punt with 25/1 odds.

Reason: Well, the bookmakers have Roma as the prohibitive favorites for good reason.  They absolutely demolished this poor Villarreal side in the first league, so they have little to play for here. The draw looks a very good option, and that's about it here.

Team News

Luciano Spalletti only has one injury to worry about.  Midfielder Alessandro Florenzi is out with a knee problem.  Spalletti is also likely to rest a number of his key players for this match ahead of a trip to face Inter at the San Siro.

Key Man

40 year old striker Francesco Totti may finally be at the end of long and storied career in Rome, but this match should be a rare chance for him to be involved from the start. No matter what, he can still be a difference maker in matches, and his goal scoring record when the side is under pressure shows that.  Spalletti has spoken of his admiration for the club captain, and it would be a great story to see him get a goal in this match.

Team Form

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Roma have won each of their last five matches in all competitions.  On Sunday, they hammered Torino at the Stadio Olimpico in a 4-1 triumph.

Expected Line-up: 3-1-4-2

Team News

Fran Escriba looks to have a full squad available to him, but he will likely rest a few players as they have Real Madrid at home on Sunday to think about.

Key Man

In a match like this, we could see once prolific striker Roberto Soldado given the chance to rediscover some semblance of the form we used to see and expect from him.  Given that there's little pressure here, it's well worth Escriba's effort to try and help the Spaniard find the form that won him a move to Spurs a couple of seasons ago.  If they lose this tie but he finds he feet again, then it may all work out for them.

Team Form

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Villarreal have two wins, two draws, and one loss in their last five matches.  On Sunday, they got an impressive 0-1 victory at Real Sociedad which greatly aided their hopes of a Champions League place.

Expected Line-up: 4-4-2

This tie is well and truly over. It was, at least on paper, the biggest match up in the entire round. But it\'s not gone down that way at all in the first leg, and now we\'re left wondering what exactly this means for the second leg. Roma have the luxury of being able to sit out their stars if they like. Villarreal may choose to do so as well in order to chase a better league position. Both sides face big rivals at the weekend. Roma face Inter Milan; Villarreal face Real Madrid. So the balance of this particular match is up in the air as a result.

Roma have outscored their opponents 16-2 in their last five matches. In three of those matches, they\'ve scored four goals. One of those results has seen them to what amounts to basically guaranteed progression.