Foxes to reach first ever European final
With the tie finely poised on aggregate (1-1), both Roma and Leicester City know precisely what's required in the second leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final in order to be at the Arena Kombëtare in Tirana later this month. The winners of tonight's Stadio Olimpico showdown will face either Feyenoord or Marseille in the Albanian capital on the 24th, and it could just be the Foxes that do so. Read our preview here:
Abraham I am
José Mourinho's charges could only draw in a stalemate at home to Bologna in Serie A at the weekend, a result that confirmed they can finish no higher in the standings than fifth, meaning participation in the Europa League is the best they can aim for. That can come from league position or by winning this competition, and they'll need to show a bit more conviction to get past their opponents. Somebody who's certainly not lacking that trait is Tammy Abraham; the English striker is the second top scorer for both club and at elite level across the major leagues for his country only to Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane. Though he needs little in the way of 'gifts', he will plunder any mistakes by the visiting backline ruthlessly. Many observers expect a 3-4-1-2 shape with Lorenzo Pellegrini in the hole. This would mean Nicolò Zaniolo would nominally be alongside Abraham, harassing and pressing his marker in the process.
Got the Lookman
Brendan Rodgers' side have endured what can only be described as an underwhelming Premier League season, and participation in continental competition for the 2022/2023 campaign can only come through winning this one. Away form has been especially poor, but they have looked more composed in the knockout phase of the Europa League. The head coach rested several key players in the 3-1 defeat at Spurs, including the likes of Jamie Vardy and Wesley Fofana. Top tier performances from both at opposite ends of the pitch are needed to tip the balance of proceedings. Wide man Ademola Lookman, on loan from RB Leipzig, has been more consistently in a blue shirt in recent weeks, helping to ease the goalscoring burden somewhat from the strikers and James Maddison. He'll be tasked with winning the battle down his flank and drawing out Gianluca Mancini to create space for his teammates.
Betting tip
On paper, together with the form guide, Roma ought to come through. However, they have looked lethargic or even combustible when things don't go exactly as planned. On their day, the current Leicester side can still bloody the noses of so-called superior outfits. Parimatch have odds of 2.25 for them to reach their first ever European final.
