Verdict: Goal in both halves
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Two camps who are looking to punch their own respective Europa League knockout stage tickets in Thursday night, Roma and Stuttgart will meet at the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma
Starting with the hosts, while Roma might have watched their Coppa Italia adventure come to a shock end earlier in the month following an action-packed 3-2 defeat against Torino, the Italian giants claimed an immediate response over the weekend. Claiming some immediate revenge as they clinched a 2-0 victory away at the Bulls, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men have their sights set on mounting a genuine Europa League charge this season. Getting the New Year underway with consecutive 2-0 wins against Lecce and Sassuolo, the former Atalanta boss should find the moof in his camp at a continued high. Likewise, last seen in European action cruising their way to an empathic 3-0 romp away at Celtic on December 11th, Roma have won all of their previous three straight Europa League showdowns by an aggregate score of 7-1.
Roma Team News
Once again missing out against Torino over the weekend after sustaining a recent back issue, Roma are once again sweating over the fitness of Brighton loanee Evan Ferguson. Suffering AFCON Heartbreak with Morocco on Saturday, it remains to be seen if Neil El Aynaoui will play any part here.
Suffering another injury setback earlier in the month, Ukrainian international Artem Dovbyk remains on the sidelines with a groin issue. Finding the net on his Roma debut over the weekend, Aston Villa loanee Donyell Malen should spearhead the Wolves’ charge in attack.
Stuttgart
As for the visitors, while Stuttgart might have been left frustrated over the weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Union Berlin, Die Roten have continued to impress on either side of opening the New Year. Getting 2026 underway with a sensational display as they stormed their way to an empathic 4-1 romp away at Bayer Leverkusen, Sebastian Hoeneb’s men are enjoying what has become quite the purple patch. Including an action-packed 3-2 win against Eintracht Frankfurt earlier in the month, Stuttgart are unbeaten in each of their previous six appearances across all competitions (four wins, two draws). Likewise, winning each of their previous three Europa League matchups by an aggregate score of 10-1 and they are more than capable of asking some serious questions in Rome.
Stuttgart Team News
Not making a single appearance across any competition since the start of November, Stuttgart will once again be without former Borussia Dortmund defender Dan-Axel Zagadou. Also representing Morocco in Sunday’s AFCON final defeat against Senegal, it remains to be seen if Leicester loanee Bilal El Khannouss will play any part here.
Notching 10 goals in his 14 Bundesliga appearances this season, former Brighton striker Deniz Undav will spearhead Stuttgart’s charge in the final third. Continuing to attract a string of heavyweight admirers, German international Angelo Stiller will start in the middle of the park.
Roma vs Stuttgart Key Factors to Consider
- Thursday’s showdown at the Stadio Olimpico will be the first meeting between Roma and Stuttgart.
- Both of Thursday’s opponents have won each of their previous three consecutive Europa League appearances.
- Stuttgart are unbeaten in all of their previous six appearances across all competitions (four wins, two draws).
- Die Roten have won their previous three straight showdowns away from the MHPArena by an aggregate score of 10-1.
- Roma’s last three matchups at the Stadio Olimpico have produced 11 goals at both ends of the pitch.
Conclusion
Two camps who know that they can punch their respective Europa League knockout stage ticket in midweek, we look set for what is an intriguing European showdown here. Although Roma might open Thursday’s showdown pencilled in as a standout contender, a high-flying Stuttgart will be confident of asking some real questions on foreign soil. With Die Roten winning their previous three straight Europa League battles by an aggregate score of 10-1, Hoeneb’s side will prove to be a rugged challenge in Rome.
Verdict: Goal in both halves
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
