Roma vs Sporting Braga Prediction: Visitors to get a result

Roma welcome Sporting Braga to Stadio Olimpico in the Uefa Europa League on Thursday (17:45, TNT Sports 5), hoping to build on their last two draws in the competition. With three games to go, the Italian side find themselves four points outside the automatic qualification spots.

Braga are three points off the pace but were winners last time out as they defeated Hoffenheim 3-0 on home soil. Below you will find my Roma vs Sporting Braga prediction, alongside the latest match odds and team news.

Roma vs Sporting Braga Odds

Roma are 4/6 to claim their second victory of the competition, which gives them a theoretical chance of 60%. Braga are valued at 9/2 to come away with their first win on the road, giving them an implied probability of 18.2%. The draw, which has been a winning selection in three of Roma's European ties so far, is on offer at 11/4 (26.7%).

Both teams to score is available at 5/6, and it has struck in one of Roma's home games so far. Over 2.5 goals has landed in four of Braga's five matches in the Europa League this term, and it is also priced at 5/6.

The Portuguese side's attacker Bruma has scored three goals in the competition and he is 11/1 to open the scoring on Thursday. Roma striker Artem Dovbyk has two for himself and he is the 6/4 favourite to score anytime in this contest.

Football Odds

Team News

Roma boss Claudio Ranieri could be tempted to make a host of changes for this game, with more of a focus on the Serie A clash at Como this weekend. Roma are currently in the bottom half of the table and he has been tasked with carrying them up the rankings.

Two potential changes could see veteran centre-back Mats Hummels and attacker Paulo Dybala rested. Nicola Zalewski, Mario Hermoso and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini are likely ahead in the pecking order for a promotion to the starting lineup for this one.

Ranieri is unable to call upon the services of Zeki Celik and Bryan Cristante due to injury, however. Dovbyk is a potential doubt having sat out of last week's Serie A action because of an issue. If he isn't fit to play, the Roma boss could opt for a false nine or go with understudy forward  Eldor Shomurodov.

For Braga, boss Carlos Carvahal has been constantly chopping and changing his team around all season, so he doesn't seem quite settled on a preferred lineup. This makes his selections unpredictable.

Fabio Carvalho and veteran Joao Moutinho look set to operate in the middle of the park as usual, while Bruma and Ricardo Horta should continue as the supporting cast behind front man Amine El Ouazzani.

Carvahal has two injury concerns heading into this one in Paulo Oliveira and Rodrigo Zalazar.

Draw or Braga @ 6/5

Braga have looked strong at times in this competition in the first five games and for the first time this campaign, they are unbeaten in their last two. The 3-0 victory over Hoffenheim last time out was most impressive and they will be looking to follow that up with another three points in Rome.

The home side have not started their Serie A campaign well, and their form in the Europa League could be better. However, they have been having better joy at home than on their travels this season.

They are yet to be beaten at Stadio Olimpico in Europe, having won one and drawn one so far, while they have also won four of their eight home games in the league.

Braga will still feel like they can come to Rome and pick up a result as they have greater momentum heading into this fixture. They've won three of their last four in all competitions and I think they will provide another tough test for Ranieri's men.

Roma will be fired up after their 4-1 win against Lecce here at the weekend, but there is no doubting that Braga are a far superior side. It's also worth noting that the hosts had lost four on the bounce in the league before that victory.

This doesn't also take away the fact that the home side have lost four times at Stadio Olimpico in Serie A, so Braga could indeed head to the Eternal City and hand them their first defeat here in Europe.

The Lecce win and their record in the Europa League so far does make me hesitant to back Roma solely to win, so I think the smart play would be covering a draw as well for double chance.

Bruma anytime goalscorer @ 4/1

I think 4/1 offers excellent value for this man to find the back of the net on Thursday. Bruma is Braga's leading marksman in the Europa League with three goals already. His latest came against Hoffenheim last time out.

The winger heads into this game in a decent run of form in front of goal, having netted four times in as many matches across all competitions. He is going to pose a huge threat to Roma's back line, who have been shaky in Serie A this season.

Bruma will be feeling confident ahead of kick-off and I do believe we could witness another excellent attacking display from him. I'm backing him to grab his fourth Europa League goal of the season.

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