Europa League - Roma vs. Brighton: Preview & Predicted Lineups

This week marks the return of the UEFA Europa League as Roma begin the knockout stage by hosting Brighton for the first of two legs in the Round of 16 on Thursday.

Coming off their knockout of Feyenoord in a playoff, the Giallorossi hope to continue their incredible form under new manager Daniele De Rossi—who will be opposite close friend and former Sassuolo manager Roberto De Zerbi.

The match kicks-off on Thursday evening at 18.45 CET at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Roma stayed hot this past weekend and swept aside Monza by a 4-1 scoreline in an impressive away victory. The win marked the team’s seventh in nine games since Daniele De Rossi replaced Jose Mourinho in mid-January.

With the first leg at home, the Giallorossi will undoubtedly like their chances ahead of kick-off given they’ve only lost one of their last thirty home games across UEFA competitions.

De Rossi isn’t expected to make many changes to his starting lineup against Brighton. Expected to utilise his preferred 4-3-2-1 formation, the primary issue he faces is at right back due to recent injuries to Rasmus Kristensen and Rick Karsdorp. As a result, Zeki Celik is favored to start in defence with Gianluca Mancini, Evan Ndicka, and left back Angelino.

Competing in their first European campaign, Brighton are keen to get back on track after they’ve sputtered in recent weeks following an initial bright start to their campaign. Following their Saturday defeat to Fulham, the Seagulls dropped to ninth in the Premier League table after being as high as third in late September.

A mixture of injuries and poor results have plagued Roberto De Zerbi’s men since the new year as they enter Thursday losers of four of their previous seven games across all competitions. Though, they won’t be short on confidence given they’re unbeaten in each of their three European away games this season, drawing 2-2 against Marseille on Matchday 2 of the group stage before defeating both Ajax (2-0) and AEK Athens (1-0).

ROMA (4-3-2-1): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Ndicka, Angelino; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Dybala, El Shaarawy; Lukaku

Unavailable: Tammy Abraham, Rick Karsdorp, Rasmus Kristensen

BRIGHTON (3-4-2-1): Steele; Igor, Dunk, van Hecke; Lamptey, Gilmour, Gross, Estupinan; Buonanotte, Enciso; Ferguson

Unavailable: Kaoru Mitoma, Joao Pedro, James Milner, Solly March, Jack Hinshelwood