Bayer Leverkusen vs Roma predictions: German champions set to confirm Dublin place
- Leverkusen are unbeaten in all competitions this season
- Roma are fifth in Serie A
- Recommended bet: Leverkusen to win and both teams to score
Bayer Leverkusen's stunning season should continue with progress to the Europa League final at the expense of Roma on Thursday.
Xabi Alonso's side lead 2-0 from the first leg thanks to goals from Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich in the Stadio Olimpico and now they should finish the job at home.
Having already been crowned German champions, and with the DFB-Pokal final against Kaiserslautern to come, Leverkusen are chasing glory in the Europa League too and they should book their place in the final in Dublin later this month to face either Marseille or Atalanta.
Team news
Alonso could field the same side that won in Rome after opting to rest Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Victor Boniface for Leverkusen’s big win over Frankfurt on Sunday. All three are in contention to return to face Roma.
Noah Mbamba was not named in Leverkusen's Europa League squad, while there is a doubt over the fitness of young forward Adam Hlozek.
Roma have no reported fresh injuries for the second leg. Boss Daniele De Rossi took Paulo Dybala off at half-time in the weekend draw against Juventus to preserve his fitness so he should start, supporting Romelu Lukaku up front.
If De Rossi decides to make changes then Stephan El Shaarawy and English pair Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham are among those who could be recalled.
The stats
Leverkusen have now gone 48 games unbeaten in all competitions this season.
Alonso's side have scored at least twice in each of their last 10 home games in all competitions.
Roma knocked out Leverkusen at this stage of the Europa League last season, winning 1-0 on aggregate.
The 2-0 first-leg defeat was the first game in seven in which Roma have failed to score in.
The Italians have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last six outings.
Prediction
Leverkusen have been outstanding this season and even though they have one foot in the final after last week's 2-0 win in Rome, they are unlikely to go easy on the Italians at home.
They warmed up for the second leg by hammering Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 away at the weekend and they should stay in control of the semi-final without too many problems.
Roma, who drew 1-1 with Juventus on Sunday, obviously have to try and go for it and they usually score so the Serie A side may well grab a goal at the Bay Arena even if it will not be enough overall.
Leverkusen look far too good to let their advantage slip and will be confident of confirming their place in the final with another victory.
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