AS Roma vs Braga Prediction & Betting Tips (12 December)

A direct qualification for the round of 16 will not be easy to achieve for an AS Roma team only 21st in the league phase. Its positioning also weakens a possible presence in the play-offs since La Louve only holds a one point lead over the 25th, the first club virtually eliminated. Author of draws against Union Saint-Gilloise 1-1 at home and Tottenham 2-2 in England, the Giallorossi have been in a storm since November. They remained on 4 defeats in the league before hosting Lecce on Saturday. Morose performances which make Roma the 15th in Serie A.

 With a record of 2 victories, a draw and 2 losses in the Europa League, Braga presents itself in Rome with the label of 18th in the ranking of the league phase. The finalist of the 2010-2011 edition remains on a success against Hoffenheim 3-0 in the competition, after being held to a draw by Elfsborg 1-1. Regarding its course in the Portuguese championship, Braga is logically ahead of the ranking by the national giants that are Sporting, Porto and Benfica but must be content with 5th place behind Santa Clara, unexpected contender for Europe for the moment . The team led by Carlos Carvalhal was able to pocket a 4th consecutive victory in all competitions on Friday against Estoril. 

Roma have recovered replacement center forward Shomurodov from the last Europa League match and are now hoping for a return of experienced defender Hermoso, who has not appeared on the field since October 27. All of Claudio Ranieri's players should be there. La Louve earned the draw at Tottenham thanks to goals from defenders Ndicka and Hummels. Summer recruit Dovbyk, for his part, scored 2 goals in this phase of the league. Dybala is present although he is not the most decisive when the French international Koné is a starter in the midfield. For Braga, defender Oliveira and prolific midfielder Zalazar (6 goals including 2 in the league) could still be missing from Carlos Carvalhal as was already the case against Hoffenheim.

This formation relies mainly on Vitor Carvalho in midfield, a sector also including the experienced João Moutinho who plays less. Former Niçois Bambu does not start in central defense. The iconic Ricardo Horta has not yet scored in the Europa League unlike Bruma, author of 3 goals in this league phase. Which makes him Braga's top scorer in C3.