Roma vs Ludogorets Predictions

• Roma, who have won seven of their last ten home Europa League games, need to win to leapfrog Ludogorets and stay in the competition.
• Ludogorets, who have lost six of their last nine away Europa League contests, must avoid defeat to reach the knockout phase.
• Ludogorets have not conceded a first-half goal in four of their five Group C games.
• Roma have won three of their last eight games in all competitions after the first half was drawn.

Mourinho’s men must make use of home advantage 

Roma should emerge victorious from a winner-takes-all Europa League group game against Ludogorets at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday. Jose Mourinho’s men have had an up-and-down campaign and cannot achieve top spot in the section, which has already been claimed by Real Betis.

And only one result will see them secure their passage to the play-off round, which will focus the minds of Mourinho’s star-studded squad, who will be backed by a passionate home crowd. Ludogorets know a draw will suffice for them to stay in second spot, which could affect their psychology and tactics.

Stanislav Genchev’s side are not known for being particularly expansive before half-time with only three of their seven goals in this year’s tournament coming before the interval while only two of the six goals they have conceded were prior to the break.

Giallorossi can make second-half gains again

Roma have scored just two of their eight Group C goals in the first 45 minutes and with some caginess expected because of the situation the two clubs are in, a goalless first half seems quite likely. The Giallorossi usually step things up after half-time and rather than taking the 3/10 available about them to get the win, there’s a decent boost available for them to win the match after a drawn first period.

Roma have won three of their last eight games in all competitions after the first half was drawn. A 1-0 scoreline is the preferred correct score play here as Ludogorets know a clean sheet will take them through and will surely focus on shutting the hosts out over potentially trading goals in an open affair.