Leicester City welcome AS Roma to the King Power Stadium in the first leg of their semi-final in 2021-22 UEFA Europa Conference League.
Leicester are playing in their first European semi-final in all UEFA competitions, whereas AS Roma are in the semi-finals of an UEFA competition for a second consecutive season – having been eliminated from last season’s Europa League by Manchester United in the semi-finals.
Team News
Boubakary Soumare is set to return for Leicester after missing recent matches with a groin injury and for personal reasons too.
Jamie Vardy (fitness) will be in the squad after his substitute appearance in Saturday’s Premier League goalless draw against Aston Villa, with Jonny Evans also set to be return after he was rested at the weekend as Wesley Fofana (ankle) is considered a doubt.
Eldin Jakupovic (unspecified), Ryan Bertrand and Wilfred Ndidi (both knee) remain absent.
AS Roma could be without Nicolo Zaniolo after he missed their Serie A defeat against Inter Milan with an ankle injury.
Bryan Cristante (knock) and Leonardo Spinazzola (Achilles) are both considered doubtful for this opening leg.
Stat Attack
- This is Leicester’s first-ever meeting against Roma across all UEFA competitions.
- AS Roma are visiting Leicester for the very first time in all UEFA competitions.
- Brendan Rogers’ Foxes held Napoli to a 2-2 draw in September 2021 in their only previous meeting at home against Italian opposition, albeit in 2021-22 Europa League Group Stage.
- Leicester have conceded just one goal in three home matches in the Europa Conference League this season – winning 4-1 against Randers in the first leg of their Knockout Play-Off.
- Three of AS Roma’s nine away goals in this competition this season were scored by Tammy Abraham.
Prediction
With just one defeat in their last eight matches across all competitions, Leicester certainly are coming into this match in solid form but lacked the final touch last weekend as their defence struggled at times with Villa’s attacking pace which Kasper Schmeichel countered with excellent saves,
Roma however won’t be an easy to beat given their form since mid-January in which they’ve lost just twice, yet this competition is still important for their chances of Europa League football given how tight the Serie A race for fifth and sixth still stands at present.
Jose Mourinho’s visiting team have also proven to be a dangerous attacking team so Leicester will absolutely have to be at their best across the pitch and take their chances, whilst also defending well otherwise this tie could quickly get away from them if Roma get the first goal.
Prediction: Leicester 1-1 Roma
Result: Leicester 1-1 Roma
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