Sevilla vs Roma: Europa League final team news and prediction
Six time Europa League winners Sevilla come against UEFA Conference League holders Roma as the pair face off in the 2022/23 Europa League final in Budapest.
Ahead of this one, we provide the necessary pre-match information, including where to watch the final, team news and probable XIs.
When is kick off?
Wednesday 31st May 2023, 20:00 KO (GMT)
Where is the match?
Puskas Arena, Budapest (Hungary).
What TV channel is it on?
BT Sport 1, BT Sport Ultimate and BT Sport App, BT Sport Youtube Channel
Recent Form
Sevilla are winless in three games leading up to the final, which has left them sitting in 11th place in La Liga ahead of the final round of fixtures, with their second-leg semi-final win over Juventus their last in all competitions.
Roma, likewise, are out of form coming into the final, and are winless in their last four in all competitions, which includes the 0-0 draw in the second leg semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen. Their only competitive win in their last nine came against Leverkusen in the first leg of their semi-final.
Team news
Marcao is sidelined with injury, while Marcos Acuna was sent off late on in their win against Juventus in the semi-final, and so is suspended for the final.
Rick Karsdorp remains out after undergoing knee surgery in March and Marash Kumbulla, who suffered a cruciate ligament injury, will also miss the final. Nemanja Matic, Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Rui Patricio didn't travel in their late defeat to Fiorentina, but should come back into the side for the final.
Probable XIs
Sevilla (4-2-3-1): Bono; Navas, Bade, Gudelj, Telles; Fernando, Rakitic; Ocampos, Torres, Gil; En-Nesyri.
Roma (3-4-2-1): Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Celik, Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola; Pellegrini, Dybala; Abraham.
Key battle: Ivan Rakitic vs Lorenzo Pellegrini
In what promises to be a highly tactical game, the key battle is likely to occur in the middle of the park, namely between two of the best technicians among both sides in Ivan Rakitic and Lorenzo Pellegrini.
A Champions League winner with Barcelona, Rakitic brings plenty of experience to Jose Luis Mendilibar’s team, as well as winning the Europa League with Sevilla in 2014. The 2018 World Cup runner-up is a vital player in the midfield having won possession in the midfield third 32 times, which ranks among the top 12 players, which is especially impressive as he has only made eight appearances. His passing game is what he is known best for and he has shown this facet to his game in the Europa League with an 85.7% pass success rate, averaging 55.2 passes per 90, while he also averages 75.1 touches per game, emphasising his high involvement in matches.
Pellegrini is the prime player among Jose Mourinho’s ranks when it comes to chance creation, registering four assists in the Europa League this season, which no player can better, and of which have come from a total of 30 key passes, which only Bruno Fernandes (31) can better in the competition. As a move advanced midfielder, his eye for goal has also been key and only three players in the Europa League this season can better his return of four goals, while his 34 shots is the most of any player.
Whatever the outcome of this game, there is a high chance that these two will be the ones to influence Wednesday's and a moment of magic from either Rakitic or Pellegrini could prove the difference.
Score prediction: Sevilla 1-1 Roma
