The Europa League begins this week with Roma vs Athletic Bilbao a standout fixture.
Quick Roma vs Athletic Bilbao betting tips
Athletic Bilbao or draw – 9/11 with VBET
Under 2.5 goals – 13/17 with VBET
Nico Williams to score any time – 47/10 with VBET
Roma vs Athletic Bilbao top offer
Roma vs Athletic Bilbao odds
Find the latest match odds for Roma vs Athletic Bilbao. All odds are provided by our best-reviewed football bookmakers. Odds are subject to change.
Roma vs Athletic Bilbao predictions
It has been an eventful start to the season for Roma – and not in a good way.
After Daniele de Rossi instigated an uptick in fortunes following Jose Mourinho’s departure last term, the Roma legend was looking forward to pushing the club forward in his first full campaign in the Stadio Olimpico dugout.
The owners had other ideas. After a slow start to the Serie A season in which Roma collected three points from the first 12 on offer, De Rossi was sacked last week.
The news came as a shock. True, Roma had not exactly set the world alight in their first four matches, losing to Empoli and drawing with Cagliari, Juventus and Genoa.
But De Rossi had only been at the helm since the middle of January and there was plenty of change in the squad over the summer.
Crucially, De Rossi’s 616 appearances for his boyhood club as a player meant he retained the respect and admiration of Roma fans everywhere.
As expected, the supporters made their frustrations known at the weekend, as Roma – now led by Ivan Juric – beat Udinese 3-0.
The protests almost certainly prompted the departure of the club’s chief executive officer, Lina Souloukou, who fell on her sword four days after De Rossi was sent packing.
Remarkably, Juric himself admitted that many Roma players were unhappy with the decision to dispense with his predecessor.
“They were very honest with me in telling me that they were very upset about him being fired. It’s something I really appreciated, because sometimes players hide such emotions,” he said.
The 3-0 victory over Udinese at least suggests Roma’s squad has handled the change professionally, but all this is less than ideal preparation for the start of the Europa League this week.
That is especially true when you consider Roma have a tough test awaiting them on matchday one, with Athletic Bilbao their opponents at the Olimpico.
Both these teams will be eyeing a top-eight finish in the new-look league phase of the tournament, a prize which would bring with it a place in the round of 16.
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Roma vs Athletic Bilbao betting tips
Roma welcome Athletic Bilbao to the capital of Italy as the Europa League gets under way.
Athletic Bilbao or draw
Athletic Bilbao have had a bright start to the La Liga season. Despite defeats by Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, the Basque outfit are third in the standings after collecting 13 points from the other 15 on offer.
Only Barcelona and Madrid are above Athletic in the standings, while confidence in the camp will be high after three wins on the bounce against Las Palmas, Leganes and Celta Vigo.
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Contrast that with the Roma situation and it is eye-catching to see Athletic rated as the clear underdogs here.
Part of that is down to Roma’s home advantage, while there is a comprehensible idea that things are bound to click for the Giallorossi sooner rather than later.
Still, the double chance market offers a golden opportunity to bet against Roma on Thursday.
Back an Athletic Bilbao win or a draw at 9/11 with VBET
Under 2.5 goals
Three of Roma’s five Serie A encounters this term have featured two goals or fewer and that is a wager we are recommending for this match.
True, Juric’s team did breach the Udinese backline on three occasions last time out, but it will be much tougher to break down Athletic Bilbao’s rearguard.
Valverde is an astute manager who will know that keeping things tight at the back early on could frustrate Roma, whose fans are not exactly united behind the club right now.
This promises to be an intriguing game to watch, but it will not necessarily be end-to-end and full of goals.
Goals are likely to be at a premium when these two teams butt heads in the capital of Italy.
Tip under 2.5 goals at 13/17 with VBET
Nico Williams to score any time
Nico Williams enjoyed the summer of his life. The winger starred as Spain swept all before them at Euro 2024, earning himself a winner’s medal and links with some of Europe’s top clubs.
But Williams ultimately decided to stay put, much to the delight of Athletic Bilbao followers everywhere.
The 22-year-old has only scored once in La Liga so far this term, but he has been eased in by Ernesto Valverde after his busy summer.
Williams is nursing an injury but the latest information suggests he will start against Roma, and the odds on him finding the back of the net are very tempting.
The forward will be bang up for this game and it would not be at all surprising to see his name on the scoresheet at the end of it.
Choose Nico Williams to score any time at 47/10 with VBET
How to watch Roma vs Athletic Bilbao
Location: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy.
Date and time: Thursday 26th September, 8pm.
How to watch: TNT Sports 3.
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About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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