If there’s any game in the UEFA Europa League that could be more attractive than a genuine Champions League knockout stage match, that’s definitely the battle between AS Roma and Brighton and Hove Albion.The skirmish involving two Italian tacticians, Daniele De Rossi and Roberto De Zerbi, promises lots of fireworks and could be a magnificent UEL last-16 first-leg tie.Despite being European rookies, the Seagulls have a fantastic attacking campaign on the Europa League group stage, as they topped the group comprised of Olympique Marseille, Ajax Amsterdam, and AEK Athens. They have also kept their character and have recorded four clean sheets in their last four European games.Their daughters are besties but there is no friends when on the battlefieldStill, their current Premier League campaign has been not more than decent, sitting ninth in the standings, which probably means they’ll miss out on the continental competitions next season. Basically, their only chance to return to the big stage is exactly through UEL, by going all the way to the title. Impossible? De Zerbi has already proved that word doesn’t exist in his dictionary.##NAJAVA_MECA_7929628##On the other hand, Roma had to go through a dramatic playoff match to get through to this stage of the competition against Feyenoord. Revived, with De Rossi at the helm, the Giallorossi went through on penalties and are now eager to make a significant trace.They are currently unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions. De Rossi, Roma’s ex-player, led a quick and efficient transition from that pale side guided by Jose Mourinho. De Rossi and his Wolfess hungry for another step closer to Champions LeagueAfter securing crucial victories against Frosinone, Torino, and Monza, Roma have now gone a point clear of Atalanta in 5th place and are back in firm contention to displace Bologna and finish in the top four. One thing’s for sure – the Seagulls will be facing a massive challenge in their head-to-head meeting on Thursday night.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE1/8 finals – first legWednesdaySporting – Atalanta 1-1 (1-1)/Paulinho 17 – Scamacca 39/Thursday20:45: (2.20) Roma (3.45) Brighton (3.25)20:45: (9.00) Qarabag (5.00) Leverkusen (1.40)20:45: (3.90) Sparta Praha (3.50) Liverpool (1.95)23:00: (2.00) Olympique Marseille (3.50) Villareal (3.80)23:00: (2.60) Freiburg (3.40) West Ham (2.85)23:00: (1.48) AC Milan (4.30) Slavia Praha (7.00)23:00: (1.60) Benfica (4.00) Rangers (5.70)***odds are subject to change***
