CSKA Sofia vs Roma Match Analysis and Prediction

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Roma will travel to Bulgaria to face CSKA Sofia on Thursday evening bearing in mind that only a victory will work for them if they want to progress through to the Europa Conference League last 16.

While Roma are already guaranteed of a top-two spot, CSKA Sofia are playing for just pride after a winless campaign thus far.

At a time when there have been rumours regarding the future of Jose Mourinho, he must attempt to focus his attention on football matters.

Despite having won half of his Serie A matches this season, they have been defeated in seven occasions in their travels, and Roma now sit two points above 11th position.

With fixtures against Atalanta BC, AC Milan and Juventus yet to come next month, Mourinho can not afford more setbacks, and Thursday’s clash with CSKA Sofia gives Roma a chance to restore some confidence.

The Yellow and Reds have not scored for five halves of football, and victory is required on Thursday if they have to stand a chance of avoiding the the initial knockout round in February.

Tammy Abraham has scored four goals in this competition, but Jose Mourinho may decide to rest a number of his key players in the Thursday’s outing.

Meanwhile, CSKA Sofia scored in the first 10 minutes of the game at Stadio Olimpico on matchday one, which suggests that they could be competitive in this group.

However, that remains their only goal in five matches, and all they have to boast for that period is a goalless draw with leaders Bodo/Glimt.

Manager Stoycho Mladenov will seek to end this season’s European campaign on a high note, but their sole priority is now trying to stay competitive in the domestic title race.

Although CSKA Sofia have picked up 10 points from their most recent five fixtures, last month’s defeat to leaders Ludogorets has left them nine points off the pace

CSKA Sofia vs Roma head to head

CSKA Sofia have previously encountered with Roma in 5 occasion, and Roma have dominated with three victories over one of Sofia, and they have drawn in one. Roma have scored 11 goals and conceded 4. They have encountered four times in the Europa League and once in the Europa Conference League.

Roma 2-0 CSKA Sofia 01/10/09

CSKA Sofia 0-3 Roma 16/12/09

Roma 0-0 CSKA Sofia 29/10/20

CSKA Sofia 3-1 Roma 10/12/20

Roma 5-1 CSKA Sofia 16/09/21

CSKA Sofia latest home form

The Army have been on a good run of form in recent weeks, having lost just two matches in their last ten at home in all competition. One defeat came on October 21 in a 1-0 loss to Zorya in the Europa Conference League. In their last five, they have won four and lost one.

CSKA Sofia 2-0 Arda 28/10/21

CSKA Sofia 1-3 Lokomotiv Plovdiv 31/10/21

CSKA Sofia 1-0 CSKA 1948 Sofia 08/11/21

CSKA Sofia 2-1 Arda 20/11/21

CSKA Sofia 2-0 Lokomotiv Sofia 1929 02/12/21

CSKA Sofia latest away form

CSKA Sofia are currently on a low run of form on the road, as they have failed to register a victory in any of their last five matches, with their last away victory coming on October 3, a 2-1 victory over Tsarsko selo. In their last five, they have drawn two and lost three.

Beroe 0-0 CSKA Sofia 24/10/21

Zorya 2-0 CSKA Sofia 04/11/21

Bodo/Glimt 2-0 CSKA Sofia 25/11/21

Ludogorets 2-0 CSKA Sofia 29/11/21

Pirin Blagoevgrad 1-1 CSKA Sofia 05/12/21

Roma latest home form

Roma lost their last match at home where they were defeated 3-0 by Inter Milan in Serie A. They however are on a relatively good form, having drawn once and won twice prior to that. In their last five, they have won two, drawn one and lost two in all competition.

Roma 1-2 AC Milan 31/10/21

Roma 2-2 Bodo/Glimt 04/11/21

Roma 4-0 Zorya 25/11/21

Roma 1-0 Torino 28/11/21

Roma 0-3 Inter Milan 04/12/21

Roma latest away form

Roma have been on an on-and-off form in their outings, failing to record successive victories. They lost their last away match 1-0 to Bologna in the Serie A. In their last five away matches, they have won two and lost three, scoring 7 goals and conceding 11 in all competitions.

Bodo/Glimt 6-1 Roma 21/10/21

Cagliari 1-2 Roma 27/10/21

Venezia 3-2 Roma 07/11/21

Genoa 0-2 Roma 21/11/21

Bologna 1-0 Roma 01/12/21

CSKA Sofia news

Keeping the weekend in mind and with a lesser focus in this match, manager Stoycho Mladenov will certainly rotate his side, bringing in players like Yanic Wildschut and Ivan Turitsov. Thomas Lam should be brought in the defence and Kaloyan Krastev also likely to feature in the attack.

Roma news

Forward Tammy Abraham is likely to feature in the Roma attack after he missed the match against Inter through suspension. Goalkeeper Rui Patricio would be replaced by Daniel Fuzato.

However,many other changes are likely to be made, with youngstar Cristian Volpato, Bryan Reynolds and Edoardo Bove all options for Mourinho.

Prediction and Odds

With the aim of avoiding to play two extra games next year in February, Mourinho’s side will want to put up an impressive performance in Bulgaria. With the hosts being expected to play only for pride, and Mourinho’s job at risk, we see Roma coming out powerfully and take the win despite the hosts capability of scoring.

Odds: 1 3.67 X 3.55 2 1.62