Europe UEFA Europa League Last 16, First Leg (09.03)

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Roma vs. Real Sociedad Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Roma:
Patricio; Llorente, Smalling, Ibanez; Karsdorp, Cristante, Matic, El Shaarawy; Pellegrini, Dybala; Abraham

Real Sociedad:
Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Rico; Zubimendi, Merino; Oyarzabal, Silva, Kubo; Sorloth

Roma welcome Real Sociedad to Stadio Olimpico on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League Last-16 tie. This will be their first ever clash in some UEFA competition. Roma are last year's Europa Conference League winners and they will try to lift another trophy this season. Roma are in mixed form at the moment. They have two wins and one defeat on the last three matches in domestic Serie A. What is more important, the home form could be rated as good. On Sunday they beat Juventus 1:0 thanks to a goal scored by Gianluca Mancini. However, the Giallorossi suffered a painful defeat one week ago, when they lost to bottom side Cremonese, who also knocked Roma out of the Coppa Italia. As I wrote above, the home form could be evaluate as good. Roma have lost just two of their last 33 home matches in UEFA competition, winning on 24 occasions. Nevertheless, it is important to be mention that both defeats came against Spanish teams. Roma lost to Real Madrid in 2018 and also lost to Betis in this season's group phase. Mourinho has some issues ahead of this match. The Sunday hero Gianluca Mancini is struggling with an ankle injury and he is rated as doubtful. Ebrima Darboe and Ola Solbakken remain out injured. There could be some rotation, so Tammy Abraham is expected to lead the line after being benched against Juventus.

Real Sociedad were successful so far in the competition. They finished as first in their group ahead of Manchester United. The Bask's outfit have won all three of their away fixtures without conceding a single goal. They are the only team to do so in the competition's group phase. However, the actual form isn't at desired level. They are winless in their last three La Liga matches, drawing twice and losing 1:0 at Valencia. The goalless draw with poor Cadiz during the weekend is also a disappointing result. If something is positive, that's the fact they remain in the top four. But Sociedad haven't score a goal more than 250 minutes. Coach Imanol Alguacil must find a way to improve the scoring form of his strikers. Imanol has good news as experienced David Silva has recovered from a calf problem. He made a cameo appearance from the bench against Cadiz and could start here. Ander Guevara and Mohamed-Ali Cho are also back from injury, while Aritz Elustondo is expected to be fit in time to feature at some stage of the match. That means striker Umar Sadiq - who was part of Roma earlier in his career - is the only unavailable player for the guests.

Roma vs. Real Sociedad Prediction:

Roma are slim favorites in the first match, mainly due to the home advantage. The full Olimpico will be their 12th player. However, I think Sociedad could remain unbeaten. Roma have won only two of their last 15 competitive games against Spanish opposition - losing 10 times in the process. I don't think something will dramatically change now.

Roma vs. Real Sociedad Pick: Real Sociedad +0.5 AH @ 1.71 with Pinnacle

 

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Manchester United vs Betis Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Manchester United:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Martinez, Malacia; Sabitzer, McTominay; Sancho, Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford

Betis:
Bravo; Sabaly, Felipe, Pezzella, Miranda; Carvalho, Rodriguez; Canales, Rodri, Perez; Iglesias

Manchester United return to Europa League action with the visit of Spanish side Betis to Old Trafford for the first leg of their Last-16 tie. The Red Devils had an excellent season until the weekend. They won the EFL Cup, secured FA Cup quarterfinals and managed to eliminate Barcelona in UEFA Europa League. Furthermore, they are third in the Premier League and within touching distance from the leaders Arsenal. But last weekend could be described as catastrophe. Man United suffered a 7:0 loss to fierce rivals Liverpool at Anfield - the team's worst league defeat since 1931. It was a big humiliation. Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez were all double scorers, while substitute Roberto Firmino had enough time only for one goal. The fans are frustrated, some of them are asking for changes. Manager Erik Ten Hag is feeling a big pressure, although his position is safe at the moment. The Dutchman will probably make lot of changes in the starting eleven. He is still without long-term absentees Donny van de Beek and Christian Eriksen, while Casemiro, is rated as doubtful, as well as Victor Lindelof and Anthony Martial.

Betis were excellent in the group phase of the competition. They finished as first in their group with five victories and just one draw. The opponents were Roma, HJK Helsinki and Ludogorets. The actual form is very good, three victories and one draw on the last four matches in La Liga. Considering the draw came against Real Madrid, I believe the players confidence is very high at the moment. Los Verdiblancos have never progressed beyond the Last-16 of the competition in its current format. Last season they were eliminated by the eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt. Coach Manuel Pellegrini has big injury issues at the moment. Key player Nabil Fekir - who was recently linked with Manchester United - has been ruled out for the remaining part of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Midfielder Juan Cruz is also sidelined with a muscular injury, but Sergio Canales has recovered from a quadriceps issue. A possible suspension of four players is definitely a problem for Pellegrini - Claudio Bravo, German Pezzella, Luiz Felipe and Aitor Ruibal will miss the reverse fixture if they are cautioned at Old Trafford.

Manchester United vs Betis Prediction:

Prior to being destroyed by Liverpool, Manchester United had good results. They managed to score at least two goals in 12 successive games in all competitions. I know many things are different after the last weekend's humiliation, but I expect some reaction from United players. They surely had a "lesson" from Ten Hag. I expect an open match with goals on both sides.

Manchester United vs Betis Pick: Both sides to score -Yes @ 1.95 with Pinnacle