AS Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction 02/05/2024

• Date: 02/05/2024
• Competition: Europa League
• KO: 21:00 CET
• Venue: Stadio Olimpico (Roma)

A huge occasion takes place at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday as Roma hosts Leverkusen in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie. 

AS Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen Betting Tips - BTTS

Leverkusen make the journey to Rome having remarkably extended their unbeaten run again on Saturday. For the second weekend in succession, the recently crowned Bundesliga champions scored a stoppage time equaliser to preserve their incredible unbeaten season. 

After claiming a 1:1 draw at Dortmund ten days ago with a 96th minute equaliser, Xabi Alonso´s men repeated the trick against Stuttgart - this time fighting back from two goals down to claim a thrilling 2:2 draw at the BayArena.

Now unbeaten in 46 matches since an away defeat against Bochum in May 2023, Leverkusen will be keen to avenge last season's Europa League semi-final defeat against the Romans.

On the road, Leverkusen have struggled for clean sheets though, with five of their last six away fixtures seeing BTTS and while they remain unbeaten, Bayer have shown a little vulnerability in recent matches.

Hosts Roma comes into this contest on the back of an entertaining 2:2 draw at Napoli on Sunday. Daniele De Rossi´s side have now lost just two of their last 16 matches. 

At the Olimpico, Roma are a tough side to beat with only Bologna and Inter claiming victories at this venue since Milan won here last September. During that period, I Giallorossi won 17 of 22 games played on home soil.

High-scoring outcomes have been much more common for Roma since the departure of Jose Mourinho. I Giallorossi saw BTTS in four of their last five matches while 15 of their last 22 matches saw at least three goals scored. Each of their last four fixtures saw both outcomes.

Given Roma´s home strength, and the battling qualities of the visiting Bundesliga kings, we can expect a high-quality contest with chances at both ends. 

BTTS looks likely, while I also fancy this first-leg to finish deadlocked.