Red Bull Salzburg vs Roma Predictions

• Roma have seen both teams score in three of their last five games, and have netted in each of their last 11 matches.
• Salzburg, meanwhile, have scored 37 times in 17 Austrian Bundesliga outings this campaign.
• The hosts saw both teams net in four of their six Champions League group games before Christmas.

Giallorossi will be tested

Jose Mourinho became the first coach to win the Champions League, the Europa League and the Europa Conference League last campaign, and more European success will certainly be a target for his Roma side this term. With the Giallorossi seemingly embroiled in a five-way fight for three Champions League places in Serie A, winning the Europa League could be season-defining, but their knockout round play-off tie against Salzburg will represent a tough test.

Roma have been Serie A’s third-best attacking team this campaign according to expected goals figures, but a failure to take their chances was often costly earlier in the season. The Giallorossi have not been shut out in any of their last 11 games and have seen both teams net in three of their last five, however, while both sides scored in five of their six group games in this competition – their only clean sheet coming at home to HJK Helsinki.

Salzburg, meanwhile, should be well placed to trouble their illustrious visitors. Having scored 37 goals in their 17 Austrian Bundesliga outings this campaign, they also held their own in the Champions League – seeing both teams score in four of their six games in a tough group containing Chelsea and Milan, in which they finished third. Salzburg do have European pedigree, reaching the Champions League’s last 16 last season, and they should be competitive across this tie.

Both teams to net as hosts push Roma

Given both sides’ attacking quality, backing both teams to net in the first leg in Austria looks a prudent play – the removal of the away goals rule has negated the need for caution first time out, and while Roma are favourites, Salzburg have the quality to trouble them.

Meanwhile, an entertaining 2-2 draw could represent a good value correct score play, and would tee things up nicely for Mourinho and company to try to seal a last-16 place at home.