Roma v Real Sociedad- UEL Betting Preview
Roma Summary
The morale and confidence at AS Roma are very positive despite a fairly inconsistent season.
A hard-fought 1-0 win over Juventus on Sunday helped Roma solidify their spot in the Serie A top-four, and the much loved Jose Mourhino will now turn his focus onto winning the first leg against Sociedad.
The UEFA Europa League is a massively important competition for the boss and the club. They will play with good motivation and belief, they expect not only to overcome the Spanish, but to go on and reach at least the semi final.
Three wins from their last four competitive matches, losing the other, gives Roma the ideal preparation and confidence for this first-leg meeting.
José Mourinho’s side has been extremely solid at home, winning seven of their last eight matches at Stadio Olimpico in all competitions.
Looking at Roma team news now, it is all very positive with the Italians setting up with their best eleven.
The long-term absentee Darboe is the only one not available.
Real Sociedad Summary
Real Sociedad has hit something of a brick wall in recent weeks, winning only once in their last seven matches. This was not so long ago, the form club in Spain and commanding the third spot in La Liga.
The Basques are still exceeding expectations in fairness, but there is a sense that the next couple of matches including this last 16 is something of a crossroads in their season.
The mood remains decent, but some concern about the steep decline in form, winning just once from their last six in the league.
The draw at home to Cadiz in the last La Liga game saw arguably their most flat performance at home this campaign.
Sociedad has lost the big lead they had over Atletico who overtook them in the last round, leaving them in 4th but with a host of clubs snapping at their heels.
They will fully respect Roma but believe in themselves that they can avoid a defeat here. They will aim to draw and go back to San Sebastian for the second leg as favourites.
Looking at team news now, which is very positive for Imanol Alguacil as the physio room empties week by week.
David Silva could start after a sub role in the 0-0 with Cadiz.
Merquelanz, Sadiq, and Aritz Elustondo are all carrying injuries, the latter may yet make the trip, however.
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first. Roma is supremely effective at home and the favourites as such, with odds @ 2.20 to win.
Sociedad was flat and without quality in their last game and seem to have lost their previously great form. This could be a tough game for them, the odds to win are @ 3.65 which looks very short. A tie is the best Sociedad can hope for without something dramatic changing, the draw is @ 3.25.
Moving onto the Asian handicap betting for this contest. Roma -0.25 is @ 1.86 and Sociedad +0.25 is @ 2.00.
I feel some value can be had with Roma here. Sociedad seems to be getting too much respect based on La Liga being rated higher than Serie A.
Looking at The Under/Over goal line last of all, where the line has dropped from 2.25 down to 2. The punters are not expecting an open game which makes sense.
Away goals no longer count double in the event of a tied aggregate score, but Mourhino will still want to win to nil as it’s a habit he cannot break! The likely score is 1-0 and then they take the bus to San Sebastian.
