Roma vs Real Betis Match Analysis and Prediction

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The two favourites for Group C supremacy go head to head at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday, as Roma and Real Betis continue their Europa League campaigns.

With a perfect record so far this season, the visitors arrive in the Eternal City leading their hosts by three points in the standings, while both are fairing well domestically.

Beaten on the opening day of the Europa League group stage, Roma lost to Ludogorets at the start of September, but would then bounce back with a victory over HJK Helsinki last time out.

Roma went all the way in the inaugural Europa Conference League last season and lifted the trophy in Tirana, and they are earger to replicate that feat in Europa League, although their fate rests heavily on events during the next few days.

Set to play Real Betis twice in short order, with the return fixture in Seville scheduled a week later after Thursday’s match at the Olimpico, Jose Morinho’s side cannot afford to slip up.

While strikes from Paulo Dybala and defensive mainstay Chris Smalling earned Roma three points on Saturday, less than 24 hours later, Real Betis were beaten for just the second time thiss season.

Having had former Lazio defender Luiz Felipe dismissed early in the game when they were already one goal down, Real Betis lost to Celta Vigo, leaving them fourth in La Liga table.

However, they have won seven of their nine games in the 2022-23 campaign to date, with the only other defeat coming away to Real Madrid.

After defeating HJK Helsinki in their first Europa League game, Betis were pushed closer by Ludogorets last time out, eventually winning 3-2 at Benito Villamarin. That leaves them at the top of Group C, and can exert a stranglehold on its leadership should they beat Roma.

Roma vs Real Betis head to head

These two teams have previously met on just one occasion in a friendly back in August 2021, where Real Betis claimed a 5-2 home victory. They now meet for the first time in a competitive match in the Europa League group stages.

Real Betis 5-2 Roma 07/08/22

Roma latest home form

Roma were beaten 1-0 by Atalanta in their last home game in the league. However, they have recent been on a good run of form at home, as they have won each of their previous four games. In their last five matches, they have scored 12 goals and conceded just one.

Roma 5-0 Shakhtar Donetsk 07/08/22

Roma 1-0 Cremonese 22/08/22

Roma 3-0 Monza 30/08/22

Roma 3-0 HJK 15/09/22

Roma 0-1 Atalanta 18/09/22

Roma latest away form

Roma have recently been on a realtively good run of form on the road, having lost just two of their seven most recent matches. They defeated Inter Milan 2-1 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded eight.

Juventus 1-1 Roma 27/08/22

Udinese 4-0 Roma 04/09/22

Ludogorets 2-1 Roma 08/09/22

Empoli 1-2 Roma 12/09/22

Inter Milan 1-2 Roma 01/10/22

Real Betis latest home form

Real Betis have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their nine most recent matches. They managed to defeat Girona 2-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 10 goals and conceded three.

Real Betis 3-0 Elche 15/08/22

Real Betis 1-0 Osasuna 26/08/22

Real Betis 1-0 Villarreal 11/09/22

Real Betis 3-2 Ludogorets 15/09/22

Real Betis 2-1 Girona 18/09/22

Real Betis latest away form

Real Betis have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their eight most recent matches. They lost 1-0 to Celta Vigo in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and also conceded five.

Brentford 1-0 Real Betis 30/07/22

Mallorca 1-2 Real Betis 20/08/22

Real Madrid 2-1 Real Betis 03/09/22

HJK 0-2 Real Betis 08/09/22

Celta Vigo 1-0 Real Betis 02/10/22

Roma news

Roma’s Rui Patricio should step aside for goalkeeper Mile Svilar, while Andrea Belotti may start up front after scoring his first Europa League goal against HJK last time out.

Captain Lorenzo Pellegrini is likely to miss out due to an ongoing muscular problem, while Georginio Wijnaldum and Rick Karsdorp are long-term absentees.

Reat Betis news

Real Betis forward Juanmi is out of action until after the World Cup due to an ankle injury, so Nabil Fekir could now return to the starting lineup after a spell on the sidelines.

William Jose is an alternative option for Manuel Pellegrini to consider up front, having already scored twice in Europa League.

Prediction and Odds

Having made themselves a tougher side to beat on home soil, Roma are capable of holding their Group C rivals to a draw this week ahead of the return fixture in Seville.

Both sides offer a distinct threat going forward, but a tactical battle between the teams may end in a share of the spoils.

Odds: 1 2.23 X 2.02 2 2.30