Europa League Preview: Roma vs Athletic Bilbao – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction | OneFootball

Stadio Olimpico forms the backdrop for the first leg of a mouth-watering Europa League last-16 tie between Roma and Athletic Bilbao. It won’t be the first time these two teams meet this season.

Indeed, they shared the spoils in an intense 1-1 draw on this ground during the league phase. Artem Dovbyk fired Roma in front just after the half-hour mark before Aitor Paredes drew the Basque side level in the 85th minute.

Dovbyk was also on the scoresheet last weekend as Roma fought back from a halftime deficit to beat Como 2-1 at home. Another Serie A victory reignited their hopes of securing European qualification through a league placement.

However, after bowing out of the Coppa Italia to Milan, this is Roma’s last chance to avoid a third consecutive trophyless season. Veteran manager Claudio Ranieri could win his third European trophy in the twilight of what has been an incredible coaching journey.

Standing in his way is seasoned Europa League campaigners Athletic Bilbao. The Spaniards’ morale took a hit last weekend as Atletico Madrid beat them 1-0 in La Liga, with the woodwork denying Ernesto Valverde’s side three times in that match.

Despite that setback, Los Leones head into proceedings confident of securing a positive result ahead of the return leg in the Iberian Peninsula amid a scintillating European run of form. Valverde’s charges have emerged victorious from six of their last seven Europa League games (L1).

Match Preview

Roma

Beating Como saw Roma extend their formidable form at the Stadio Olimpico. Indeed, Ranieri’s charges are unbeaten across their last 11 home outings in all competitions, winning ten times in that sequence, including a 3-2 victory against Porto in the knockout playoff round.

That second-leg triumph against the Portuguese heavyweights made it four consecutive home wins for Roma in the Europa League. The Giallorossi fired at will in that period, tallying an eye-catching nine goals at an average of 2.25 per match.

Furthermore, Roma have only failed to find the net twice in 20 home games this season, testifying to their tremendous scoring potential in the capital. It’s no less important to note that they’ve netted 2+ goals in six of their seven competitive home fixtures in 2025.

Athletic Bilbao

Like Roma, Athletic Bilbao didn’t have to navigate the knockout playoff round after finishing second in the league stage behind Lazio. The new Europa League format has been plain sailing for Valverde’s team as they only lost once in eight games in the first phase (W6, D1).

Moreover, despite generating a measly 10.4 xG across those eight matches, Bilbao bagged 15 goals, significantly overperforming statistics. The visitors may need to rely on their scoring proficiency again as they head to Rome looking to end a four-game winless run on the road (D2, L2).

That would be a perfect response to the abovementioned slumped in Madrid, which knocked them down from a six-match unbeaten streak in all competitions (W3, D3). However, six wins from their last seven Europa League contests (L1) can inspire confidence around the traveling camp.

Team News

After passing the threshold for bookings, Roma midfielder Leandro Paredes must serve a one-game ban. Meanwhile, winter arrival Anass Salah-Eddine is out as the Giallorossi failed to register him for the Europa League matches. However, the rest of the team is fit and ready.

On the other hand, Athletic Bilbao will be without prodigious Alvaro Djalo, who remains the only high-profile absentee. All eyes will be on the Williams brothers and overachieving playmaker Oihan Sancet, who boasts an impressive 13 goals from midfield this season.

Roma vs Athletic Bilbao Potential Starting Line-ups

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Kone, Cristante, Angelino; Dybala, Pellegrini; Dovbyk.

Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1): Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Yuri; Jauregizar, Vesga; I. Williams, Gomez, N. Williams; Sannadi.

Roma vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction

Chances were at a premium when Roma and Bilbao locked horns in September. Another evenly-contested game is on the cards, with an identical outcome a genuine possibility.

However, Roma’s win would barely be surprising, especially considering the Italian giants’ remarkable home form. Indeed, they’ve only lost two of their lasr 38 home outings in European football.

That paints a bleak picture for Bilbao, whose travel sickness has recently become notorious.