Jose Mourinho to assert himself at the King Power
Leicester City welcome Roma in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi final, Feyenoord and Marseille contend the other tie with the favourite for the inaugural trophy probably coming from this fixture.
Jose Mourinho’s return to England adds another wrinkle to this fixture, although it will be competing with West Ham United’s hosting of Eintracht Frankfurt for air time.
The Foxes have welcomed Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana back into the fold of late, and look far more defensively assured as a result, giving the hosts a far greater chance of picking up a positive result.
Brendan Rodgers’ men are off the pace in the Premier League, meaning that they need to win the competition to seal European football for next season.
Roma look likely to finish in fifth or sixth in Serie A, which will either have them qualify for the Conference League or the Europa League.
Background
Mourinho still has that unquantifiable aura, and he cannot be written off.
The Foxes have been poor domestically this season, in Tammy Abraham and Lorenzo Pellegrini, Roma have their match winners.
The Yellow and Reds will want to take something back to the Stadio Olimpico, and in that Mourinho could revert to type and prioritise an impressive defensive display.
This is not the Leicester of old, they have not been as fluid and devastating on the counter as the last couple of campaigns, which is only natural given the quality of their squad.
Roma deserve a little bit more respect by the market, with their manager and their respectable league performance this season.
Goals?
Roma are also peaking at the right time after a worrying first half of the season, the Foxes will have to bring their ‘A’ game to pick up the win.
Leicester have scored in seven of ten.
Leicester have conceded in eight of ten.
Leicester have seen both teams score in seven of ten.
Leicester have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
Roma have scored in all of their last 14.
Roma have conceded in six of ten.
Roma have seen both teams score in six of ten.
Roma have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
It will be a cracking atmosphere at the King Power and Leicester should be favourites, but given their performance level this season they do not command the respect in my mind that the market has given them.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
1-1, Roma were disrespected by the market.