A blockbuster Europa League clash between Roma and Lazio remains a distinct possibility after the first leg of the knockout round play-offs were completed.
Roma’s 1-1 draw at Porto has boosted their chances of progressing to the last-16, where they could be paired with either Lazio or Athletic Bilbao.
According to Sports Today, the Serie A giants are among the more fancied teams in the competition and will fancy their chances of reaching the latter stages.
Read on as we look at the latest outright odds and upcoming knockout round play-off fixtures, before assessing whether either of the Serie A giants will lift the trophy.
Europa League 2024/25 – Outright odds
- Manchester United – 9/2
- Tottenham Hotspur – 5/1
- Athletic Bilbao – 11/2
- Lazio – 7/1
- Eintracht Frankfurt – 11/1
- Real Sociedad – 11/1
- Roma – 14/1
- Ajax – 16/1
- Fenerbahce – 16/1
- Lyon – 16/1
- AZ Alkmaar – 20/1
- Olympiacos – 25/1
- Porto – 33/1
- Rangers – 50/1
- FC Twente – 66/1
- FCSB – 80/1
- PAOK – 100/1
- Union Saint-Gilloise – 125/1
- Bodo/Glimt – 150/1
- Ferencvaros – 150/1
- Galatasaray – 150/1
- Midtjylland – 250/1
- Viktoria Plzen – 250/1
- Anderlecht – 500/1
Europa League 2024/25 – Knockout round play-offs – second leg fixtures
Thursday, February 20
- Viktoria Plzen vs Ferencvaros (0-1)
- Bodo/Glimt vs FC Twente (1-2)
- Ajax vs Union Saint-Gilloise (2-0)
- Galatasaray vs AZ Alkmaar (1-4)
- Real Sociedad vs Midtjylland (2-1)
- FCSB vs PAOK (2-1)
- Anderlecht vs Fenerbahce (0-3)
- Roma vs Porto (1-1)
Europa League 2024/25 – Serie A on Course for Last-16 Meeting
Roma claimed a deserved 1-1 draw at Porto in their play-off tie, despite having midfielder Bryan Cristante sent off for two bookings. He will miss the second leg.
Claudio Ranieri’s side went ahead just before half-time when full-back Zeki Celik hooked in from close range from Artem Dovbyk’s knock-on.
Porto equalised when Roma failed to deal with Diogo Costa’s long clearance and Francisco Moura scored from the edge of the box via a deflection off Celik.
History favours Porto having eliminated the Serie A side in all three previous two-legged knockout ties (1981/82, 2016/17 and 2018/19).
However, Roma have won 13 of their last 16 home matches in the Europa League (D2, L1), winning their last three without conceding.
Porto have only progressed on three of the previous nine times they have drawn at home in the first leg of a two-legged knockout tie in Europe.
The Portuguese side looked impressive against Manchester United during the league phase, but their interest in the competition could be ended by Roma.
If I Giallorossi make it through to the last-16, they would face either Lazio or Athletic. Both teams would present a tough challenge for Ranieri’s side.
Fans of the two Rome-based clubs will be desperate to be pitched against their biggest rivals in what would undoubtedly be the most eye-catching tie of the round.
Lazio finished the opening stage of the competition on top of the table despite suffering a 1-0 defeat at Braga in their last game.
Head coach Marco Baroni has no concerns about Lazio’s next opponents, saying he respects all the teams who have progressed beyond the league phase.
“This is a marvellous tournament and we know every team we face from now on will be of a high level,” Baroni told Sky Italy.
“We’ll wait and see, then be ready to battle it out against whoever we are drawn against. Now we will get our heads back on Serie A and the Coppa Italia – we need to get some players back in shape, as everyone has put so much effort in so far this season.”
Having produced a series of impressive performances on their way to the last-16, Lazio will be confident they can make a deep run in the competition.
Avoiding Roma in the last-16 would probably boost their chances of lifting the trophy as it would place them in a slightly easier half of the draw.
Regardless of what happens when the draw is made, Premier League sides Man United and Tottenham Hotspur are probably the biggest threats to the Serie A duo.
Athletic, Eintracht Frankfurt and Lyon could also be dangerous, while Real Sociedad and Ajax are other teams who should not be underestimated.
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