Roma
Roma occupy top spot in Group E with 8 points from a their 4 games, a lead of 4 points to 3rd placed Astra. If Roma avoid defeat at home to Viktoria Plzen they will progress to the next round.
I Giallorossi haven't lost in the Europa League this season (2-2-0), in fact it's 9 unbeaten in the Europa League Group Stages. Luciano Spalletti's side have scored in all 4 Group games and 2 or more in 3/4 including the last 3. At the back, 1 clean sheet in 4 with 5 conceded in the last 2 ties against Austria Vienna.
At the Stadio Olympico going back into last season it's just 1 win from 4 Europa League ties. This season it's a 1-1-0 record with 7 goals scored and 3 conceded with their games averaging 5 goals per game.
Viktoria Plzen
Plzen are bottom of the Group despite losing just 1/4 games. Draws have been the problem with 3/4 games ending all square. The Czechs are in almost must win territory here and there's a possibility that they exit the competition if they fail to claim all 3 points in Rome.
Zdeněk Zeman's side have scored in 3/4 group games but never more than 1 goal on each occasion. At the back, 3/4 without a clean sheet and against a free flowing Roma it's hard to foresee a shut out in this one.
Away from home it's 2 draws from 2, 0-0 at Austria Vienna and then 1-1 at Astra. Their record against Italian sides is impressive losing 1/5 games (2-2-1) they also beat Napoli 5-0 on aggregate in the 2012/13 campaign so they are not without a chance.
Betting Verdict
This is a tough game to call, Roma look the better side but their openness at the back is a worry. Plzen need to win and I don't see them sitting back, Roma don't know how to sit back and they will attack regardless. Therefore, I will stick with a short priced bet but one that looks quite risk free and that's Both Sides to Score.
Plzen have drawn 4/5 games in Europe netting at least 1 in 4 of those games. They also have a good recent record against Italian sides which bodes well given Roma have 1/4 home Europa League clean sheets.
I'm avoiding overs because I want 1-1 on side, this should go overs with Plzen needing to win but the line is set at 3.25 goals which is too high to take on.
At 1.83 both to score seems generous and means we don't need to worry about a winning goal. Roma should win but a shock wouldn't surprise me given the frailties at the back of the Giallorossi.
