Europa League final: Seven-up for Sevilla in Roma battle
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Europa League final: Sevilla v Roma betting tips and preview
Wednesday’s Europa League final has a Mediterranean flavour as Sevilla look to extend their record number of titles to seven when they face Roma.
The Italians have reached the final once before, in 1991 when they lost 2-1 to Inter Milan in a two-legged affair in the days of the old UEFA Cup.
The odds suggest this could be a close encounter, with the Spaniards slight favourites at 17/10 to get the better of 15/8 underdogs Roma, led by Jose Mourinho who has won all five European finals he has overseen.
We have a few Sevilla v Roma betting tips for the game in Budapest where the winner will secure automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League group stage.
Mendilibar transforms Sevilla fortunes
Sevilla have had a rollercoaster season but are on an upward trajectory following the appointment of their third coach of the season.
Julen Lopetegui was the first to be sacked in October after five defeats in eight games and his replacement Jorge Sampaoli followed in March when a 2-0 defeat at Getafe left them in 14th place and in danger of going down.
However, Sevilla have been transformed since the appointment of Jose Luis Mendilibar, who has not only staved off the threat of relegation but has given his new charges an outside chance of European football next season.
The Andalucians have lost just two of their 15 games since Mendilibar took over which included an impressive 3-0 win against Manchester United in the second leg of their quarter-final and then fought back from a goal down to beat Italian giants Juventus in the semis.
Trailing to Dusan Vlahovic’s neat 65th-minute finish, Suso equalised soon after with a rasping left-footed drive and Erik Lamela headed in the winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time for a 3-2 aggregate victory, although their night was slightly marred by the dismissal of Marcos Acuna, who received a second yellow card for time-wasting at a throw-in.
Roma’s season has been less traumatic as they go in search of a second successive European trophy following last year’s success in the Europa Conference League.
Hopes of playing European football next season have been fluctuating in the last few weeks because of Juventus’ 15-point deduction which was initially reversed and then enforced again as a 10-point penalty.
Nemanja Matić. Running the show 😤@ASRomaEN || #UEL pic.twitter.com/09BtyMAsS5
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 23, 2023
As things stand, Roma are in sixth place in Serie A on the back of a seven-game winless run, four of which were draws, so their domestic form is nothing to write home about.
They were also in danger of dropping into the Europa Conference League when they trailed at home to Ludogorets in their final group game, but three second-half goals meant they finished second to runaway winners Betis.
Roma had to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit against RB Salzburg in the knockout play-off round to reach the round of 16 where they beat Real Sociedad 2-0 on aggregate, although they went close to losing in the quarter-finals only for Paulo Dybala to score a minute from time against Feyenoord to send the game into extra time during which Stephan El Shaarawy and Lorenzo Pellegrini sealed their progress.
A defensive masterclass in the second leg of their semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen saw Roma go through 1-0 on aggregate despite losing the shot count 23-1 in Germany.
Good morning, Sevillistas! 😁 pic.twitter.com/kDp215LCst
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) May 23, 2023
The Italian side could be boosted by the return of former United defender Chris Smalling (hip), while Argentina’s Paulo Dybala is hoping to play some part despite an ankle injury.
Put together, the momentum seems to be with the Spaniards and they get our vote to win inside 90 minutes at 17/10 just as they did during the Covid-hit 2019-20 season when goals from Sergio Reguilon and Youssef En-Nesyri sealed their place in the last eight en route to the final which they won against Inter Milan.
It could be a low-scoring contest though, with seven of Roma’s last eight Europa League games involving two goals or fewer which is available at just 1/2.
In the #GetAPrice – Both teams market, under 1.5 goals in the first half, two or fewer in the second and either team to win appeals at 11/10 as does a scoreless opening 45 minutes which would have paid out in the Italians’ last five Europa League matches. That option can be backed at 6/5 as one of our Sevilla v Roma betting tips.
For those looking at bigger prices, Draw HT/Sevilla FT at 17/4 also catches the eye.
Match Info
Where: Puskas Arena, Budapest
When: 20.00, Wednesday 31st May
How to watch: BT Sport
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
