Europa League: AS Roma and Slavia Praha Duel for Group G Supremacy

AS Roma vs Slavia Praha

AS Roma are set to host Slavia Praha at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday in what should be another fun Europa League matchup.

The Giallorossi and Cervenobili have started their campaigns on a high note with positive Europa League 2023 results, with both sides beating Servette and Sheriff Tiraspol in convincing fashion.

Because of this, Slavia Praha and AS Roma are standing tall in Group G with six points each, with the former having a better goal difference.

So whoever wins in Rome on Thursday gets the top spot, which is essential since it would mean an easier path towards winning the Europa League crown.

Something has to give when AS Roma and Slavia Praha face off, so who will it be? Take a look at today’s match preview.

Talking Points

Lukaku putting AS Roma on his back

After an up-and-down month of September, AS Roma have picked up form with four consecutive wins across all competitions. Granted, all of those games were against less-talented sides, but a win is still a win, and that gives them great momentum ahead of Thursday.

And they’re doing it despite being undermanned, which might still be the case against Slavia Praha, as Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Marash Kumbulla, and Renato Sanches are all still in the treatment room.

They’ve managed to overcome their injury woes in large part because Romelu Lukaku has his mojo back. The Belgian centre-forward is off to a superb start in Rome with seven goals in his first nine games, and he’s also the current top scorer in the Euro 2024 qualifiers with 10 goals.

My fellow SBOTOP writer was on point when he said that it is a little bewildering why Lukaku struggled to find a club this summer after a poor campaign at Chelsea last year. Now that he’s feeling at home in Rome, it’s good to see him back at his best under Jose Mourinho.

Other than Lukaku, Slavia Praha’s defence would also have to account for Andrea Belotti. The former Torino man has formed a strong strike partnership with Lukaku, having recorded five goals and two assists thus far.

Slavia Praha in their best shooting form

Yes, you read it right. Slavia Praha are currently the best scoring side in the Europa League as of this writing because they have notched eight goals while conceding none on the other end, for an impressive goal difference of +8.

After beating Servette 2-0 in the opening game, Slavia Praha demolished Sheriff Tiraspol 6-0 at home two weeks ago, which raised several eyebrows in the competition.

To Jindřich Trpišovský’s credit, the Cervenobili have taken care of business via committee, as five different players have already found the back of the net.

Youngsters Mojmir Chytil and Igoh Ogbu are leading the way with two goals apiece, while Ivan Schranz, Lukas Masopust, and David Doudera have one each in this tournament.

History

AS Roma and Slavia Praha’s last European encounter goes back to the 1995-96 UEFA Cup quarter-finals. The Cervenobili won the first leg with a 2-0 scoreline, and even if they lost 3-1 to the Giallorossi in the return leg, they still advanced to the next round because they scored an away goal. (3-3 aggregate tally).

Jose Mourinho’s men have won their last four Europa League group stage matches, their longest winning streak in the group stage of any major European tournament.

On the other hand, Jindřich Trpišovský’s side has won both of their first group stage matches in a major European tournament for the first time ever.

However, they have lost six of their last seven European visits to Italian clubs, with the other one being a 1-1 draw against Inter Milan in the 2019-20 Champions League group stage.

Betting Tip

The Europa League 2023 odds have the hosts as the slight favourites to win on Thursday. AS Roma are at 1.70 odds to win, whereas Slavia Praha aren’t too far behind at 3.80, and a draw is priced at 3.70 in the 1X2 market.

Slavia Praha will have no fear visiting AS Roma because they’re in great form recently, but this might be a huge step in terms of the level of competition, and it doesn’t help their case that the hosts have been in fine form as well.

For alternative bets, you may want to go for Total Goals 2-3 at 1.82 or even Over 2.50 at 1.77. Meanwhile, Correct Score of 3-1 in favour of I Giallorossi – their most previous result – is offering a substantial payout of 11.50.

 

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