Sabasports Match Preview
Europa League: AS Roma vs FC Porto
Kickoff Time: 2025-02-21 01:45 (HKT)
Source:REUTERS/Pedro Nunes
AS Roma won 1-0 against Parma in last weekend’s league match, maintaining an unbeaten streak of nine matches, showcasing excellent form. Currently, Roma ranks ninth in the Serie A standings, trailing nine points behind fourth-placed Juventus. With 13 rounds remaining in the league, the momentum-driven Roma is likely to continue improving their ranking. Since Claudio Ranieri took over, Roma has gradually returned to form. Tactically, Ranieri’s three-center-back setup, based on counter-attacking football, has gradually taken shape, making it difficult for opponents to cope with the team’s multiple defensive coverage and quick transitions. Within the three-center-back system, Ranieri allows the wing-backs to participate in attacks more flexibly, thus enhancing the team’s success rate in quick counter-attacks. It is worth mentioning that Roma has a very strong home performance, remaining unbeaten in their last eight home matches with seven wins and one draw, showcasing their formidable home advantage.
FC Porto secured a 1-0 away victory against Farense in last weekend’s league match, with a record of two wins and three draws in their last five games, demonstrating good form as well. Currently, Porto ranks third in the Primeira Liga standings, six points behind leaders Sporting CP, making their title chase crucial. Tactically, Porto relies on high pressing, utilizing quick advances and wing breakthroughs to tear apart the opponent’s defense. Additionally, Porto possesses excellent set-piece capabilities, which are one of their important scoring methods. However, Porto’s away performance has been relatively poor, managing only three wins, three draws, and four losses in their last 10 away matches, contrasting sharply with their strong home record.
In the first leg, Roma drew 1-1 away against Porto. To come away unscathed from Porto’s strong home ground is already quite an achievement for Roma, who typically perform averagely on the road. In the second leg, Roma returns home, where their strong home advantage becomes their most critical advantage. Considering Porto’s mediocre away performance, Roma, enjoying the home advantage, deserves to be favored in this match.
AS Roma’s Last 5 Games: WDWLD
25-02-17 Parma 0-1 AS Roma
25-02-14 FC Porto 1-1 AS Roma
25-02-09 Venezia 0-1 AS Roma
25-02-06 AC Milan 3-1 AS Roma
25-02-03 AS Roma 1-1 Napoli
FC Porto’s Last 5 Games: WDDDW
25-02-17 Farense 0-1 FC Porto
25-02-14 FC Porto 1-1 AS Roma
25-02-08 FC Porto 1-1 Sporting CP
25-02-04 Rio Ave 2-2 FC Porto
25-01-31 Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-1 FC Porto
Head To Head Record:
25-02-14 FC Porto 1-1 AS Roma
21-07-29 FC Porto 1-1 AS Roma
19-03-07 FC Porto 2-1 AS Roma (AET 3-1)
19-02-13 AS Roma 2-1 FC Porto
16-08-24 FC Porto 0-3 FC Porto
Prediction: AS Roma to win