Roma vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Claudio Ranieri has helped Roma improve a lot in the last few months as they face an Athletic Club side that will view UEFA Europa League success as their destiny this season.

Kick-off date/time: Thursday 6th March, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – CBS Sports

How to watch online: UK – Discovery+ / US – Paramount+

Key Stats

The only previous UEFA competition match between these teams was their 1-1 draw on Matchday 1 of the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League.
Roma have won only two of their last 14 UEFA competition matches against Spanish teams (D5 L7). However, they are unbeaten in the last five (W1 D4).
Roma have won their last three UEFA competition two-legged ties against Spanish teams.
Roma have won their last three UEFA Europa League round of 16 ties.
Roma have lost only one of their last eight UEFA Europa League matches (W4 D3).
Roma have won 12 of their last 13 UEFA competition two-legged ties.
Roma have won 14 of their last 17 UEFA competition matches at home (D2 L1).
Roma have won their last four UEFA Europa League home matches.
Roma have lost only two of their last 38 UEFA competition matches at home (W28 D8).
Athletic Club have lost only two of their last 12 UEFA competition matches against Italian teams (W5 D5).
Athletic Club have lost only one of their last six UEFA competition matches away from home against Italian teams (W1 D4).
Athletic Club have won only one of their previous ten UEFA competition matches away from home against Italian teams (D4 L5).
Athletic Club have won six of their last seven UEFA Europa League matches (L1).
Athletic club have not failed to score in their last 16 UEFA Europa League matches.

Roma vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction

Roma won the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022 before reaching the UEFA Europa League final in 2023 as they chase further European success up against an Athletic Club that are brilliant to watch, despite having their feint La Liga title hopes likely ended the other day.

Claudio Ranieri came out of retirement to take charge back at Roma in November with the Giallorossi searching for a top seven finish once again in Serie A. They came from behind at the weekend to defeat Como by two goals to one at the Stadio Olimpico after a thrilling defeat of Porto in the knockout playoffs of this competition last month.

Athletic Club, as mentioned, have been chasing the Spanish title but they most recently suffered a 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano at the weekend. In this competition, though, they will fancy their chances of more silverware after ending their 40-year trophy drought with the Copa del Rey last season as the UEL final takes place at San Mames this year.

Athletic have an abundance of attacking talent and Roma do not have the defensive control of Atletico Madrid so it could be quite a fun watch at the Stadio Olimpico in the first-leg this week.

Roma vs Athletic Bilbao Tip: Both teams to score