Villarreal vs Roma Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Two sides who were knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers meet this week, having managed to book a place in the Europa League knockout round. Just how will these two fare as they look to boost mixed European campaigns? Villarreal come in to this game in really poor form, having won just one of their last nine matches. If that poor run continues then they’ll be left needing a result away at the Stadio Olimpico, which has been a fortress for Roma this season.

Roma may come in to this game as slight outsiders, but they’re fancied to have a strong showing in this competition. They’re priced at 12/1 third favourites to win the trophy. Meanwhile, Villarreal are quite a bit further out, they are 20/1 to claim a European trophy. That’s understandable when you consider how the Spanish side struggled in the group stage, winning just two of their matches. They finished behind Osmanlispor, who were making their debut in Europe. Their 2-1 defeat to the Turkish side was a low-light of their campaign so far.

Villarreal do have one of the best defensive records in Europe, conceding just 0.68 per game so far. Despite those heroics at the back, they’ve struggled defensively in this competition. All of their group stage games ended with both teams scoring. The Spanish side may have made last season’s semi-finals, but they’re not going to repeat that this time around on current form.

This is Villarreal’s only real chance to make the Champions League, after slipping down to sixth thanks to their recent poor form. Roma don’t have the same problems, they’re on course for second spot in Serie A, but their hopes of winning the title seem to be over. The Giallorossi have their mixed away form to blame for that, which has seen them concede in 62% of their away league trips this season. However, they have managed to score in 77% of their matches on their travels.

That form should see the Italians find the net on Thursday night, especially when you consider Villarreal’s poor defensive record in Europe this season. Roma have had a similar experience in their group stage games, seeing both teams score in four of their first five outings. That was followed by a 0-0 in their dead rubber final match, but we’re backing more goals in this clash. We’re going with both teams to score here, which is well priced at 4/5 with bet365.