Athletic Bilbao vs Roma Match Prediction, Fantasy Football Tips and Possible Starting Lineups

Trailing by a goal after the first leg, Athletic Bilbao will be fighting to keep their Europa League dreams alive when they take on Roma at San Mamés this Thursday. With the final set to be played at their own stadium in May, the Basque club is determined to turn the tide, stage a comeback, and keep their European hopes burning.

Their first-leg encounter in Rome was a rollercoaster. Inaki Williams put Athletic ahead with a close-range header, but their lead didn’t last long as Angelino struck back for Roma. Things took a turn for the worse when Yeray Álvarez picked up a second yellow card, leaving Athletic down to ten men and desperately holding on. Just when it looked like they’d escape with a draw, Roma landed a devastating blow with the very last kick of the game, snatching a 2-1 win and sending Bilbao home empty-handed.  

Despite that setback, Athletic have every reason to believe in a turnaround. Their home form this season has been nothing short of impressive, boasting the third-best record in La Liga, with an average of over two points per game at San Mamés. They’ve also been perfect at home in the Europa League, winning all four of their matches so far. On top of that, they’ve scored in each of their last 17 matches in the competition. History is also on their side. Athletic have dominated Italian teams on home soil, winning eight of their last ten encounters against Serie A opposition in European competitions. With the backing of a passionate home crowd, they’ll be confident they can overturn the deficit. 

But Roma won’t make it easy. Thanks to Eldor Shomurodov’s dramatic 94th-minute strike in the first leg, the Giallorossi arrive in Bilbao with a crucial advantage. That goal not only put them in the driver’s seat for the tie but also secured their place in history as the team with the most victories in the Europa League, boasting 97 wins from 185 matches. Roma also have an impressive track record when it comes to protecting a first-leg lead. They’ve advanced from their last nine European knockout ties after winning the opener – a streak stretching back to 2019. 

Under Claudio Ranieri, Roma have been a force to be reckoned with. They’ve yet to lose a Serie A match in 2025, and their 1-0 win over Empoli on Sunday – secured by Matias Soulé’s early strike – extended their unbeaten run to 12 league games, with six straight victories. Since Ranieri's return in November, only Inter Milan have won more matches across all competitions, and Roma are now firmly in the race for a top-four finish in Serie A. 

Athletic Bilbao vs Roma – Match Date, Time and Venue 

Date: 13th March 2025                       

Time: 11:15 PM (IST)                  

Stadium: San Mames 

Location: Bilbao, Spain 

Athletic Bilbao’s Possible Starting XI 

Simon; De Marcos, Nunez, Paredes, Yuri; Jauregizar, Ruiz De Galarreta; I. Williams, Gomez, N. Williams; Sannadi. 

Roma’s Possible Starting XI 

Svilar; Rensch, Mancini, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Paredes, Cristante, Angelino; Dybala, Baldanzi; Dovbyk. 

Athletic Bilbao vs Roma Fantasy Team  

Goalkeeper: Unai Simon (Bilbao)  

Defenders: Evan Ndicka (Roma), Angelino (Roma), Yuri Berchiche (Bilbao)  

Midfielders: Nico Williams (Bilbao), Alexis Saelemaekers (Roma), Manu Kone (Roma), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma)  

Forwards: Inaki Williams (Bilbao), Artem Dovbyk (Roma), Paulo Dybala (Roma) 

Athletic Bilbao vs Roma – Fantasy Team Captain and Vice-Captain  

Choice 1: Nico Williams (C), Inaki Williams (VC)  

Choice 2: Paulo Dybala (C), Lorenzo Pellegrini (VC)  

Disclaimer:  

The author has provided you with the above-mentioned match prediction on the basis of his research, understanding, and analysis, consider the points and make your own decision.