AS Roma Vs Gent
Thursday 20th February 2020 – 20:00 Kick-Off
UEFA Europa League
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: WilliamHill
(All betting odds displayed were correct at time of writing: 17th February 2020 at 22:00)
Preview: Late drama ensured AS Roma were in the draw for the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 and the Italian giants will hope to capitalise on their good fortune on Thursday, hosting Belgian side Gent at the Stadio Olimpico.
UEFA Europa League Betting at 22Bet
Table of Contents
AS Roma Preview – Out-of-form Romans in a vulnerable state?
Clearly their reputation precedes them, because AS Roma delivered an underwhelming performance during the group phase to scrape through as a runner-up in an admittedly tricky Group J. The Italians, who were indebted to a last-gasp goal in the group’s other game on the final matchday to see them safely through, are a bigger price than just six teams in the outright betting at 20/1 with Unibet.
However, it is a competition which has grown in significance since the players returned to domestic action in early January. That is due to the form of the Giallorossi deserting them in that time, picking up a meagre four points from the last 21 available (W1 D1 L5). Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Atalanta – a direct rival for a top-four finish – left them trailing the Champions League places in Serie A by six points and was their third on the spin.
A feature of their games since the turn of the year has been goals; the last six all featuring goals for both teams, while only one fell below the Over 2.5 Goals mark. There has been a single clean sheet in their last twelve games in all competitions. Just one team were prevented from scoring during the group phase meanwhile, both of which coming in their only victories of the section (W2 D3 L1) – both over Istanbul Baseksehir.
Gent Preview – Belgian side being too easily dismissed?
One of two Belgian clubs who remain in the tournament, Gent are certainly here on merit after topping Group I without losing a single game (W3 D3) ahead of German club Wolfsburg. Are they being underestimated though? Mammoth odds of 250/1 with WilliamHill in the outright betting would perhaps suggest that is the case, but even more pertinent is their quote of 3/1 to reach the next round at the expense of what is a vulnerable Roma side.
A positive result in Italy would see their qualifying odds naturally tumble, and that is not beyond the realms of possibility judging by what has been produced from this team so far in the tournament. The Buffalos, as they are affectionately nicknamed, went unbeaten in a section which comprised of Oleksandriya, Saint-Etienne and Wolfsburg and would secure their sole away win in arguably the toughest fixture – beating Wolfsburg 3-1 in Germany.
All but one group game produced both team on the scoresheet – a poor display in a goalless draw in France the only exception. It has been a similar theme on the domestic front as six of their last eight matches in the Belgian Jupiler League – a league they sit second in, behind clear leaders Club Brugge – saw both teams find the back of the net, avoiding defeat in their last seven such games (W5 D2). They’ve scored in eight straight league games on the road.
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Betting Summary
In terms of personnel, AS Roma probably are superior considering the greater resources at their disposal. If were to focus solely on more important values, such as current form and performances earlier in the tournament, then there would only be one winner: a Gent side which negotiated their group with more assurance and who are unbeaten in their previous seven matches domestically.
Roma Vs Gent – Key Facts
- Roma qualified as a runner-up, finishing second in Group I behind Istanbul Basaksehir with a mixed record of W2 D3 L1.
- Gent topped Group J ahead of Wolfsburg, going unbeaten throughout with three wins and three draws.
- This will be the second time these clubs would have faced each other in Europe, facing off in the Third Qualifying Round of the Europa League in 2009-10. Roma were emphatic victors over the two legs, winning 3-1 in Italy and 7-1 in Belgium.
It almost goes without saying that Serie A is a step up from Belgium’s First Division, however, form does tend to breed confidence and, right now, it is difficult to imagine a Roma side with one win in their last seven league games (W1 D1 L5) having much of it. Gent or Draw (Double Chance) looks big at 7/4 with Boylesports. A potentially safer alternative, though, might be Both Teams to Score. That particular bet landed in four of Roma’s six group games and all but one for Gent.
Best Betting Odds for Roma Vs Gent
Roma – 4/9 Unibet
Draw – 18/5 WilliamHill
Gent – 13/2 Boylesports
