Roma need one point in their final group game to clinch a top-eight finish and direct Round of 16 access — punters may favour backing Roma for a draw or double-chance (win/draw) in Greece. Bologna’s 2-2 draw leaves them seeded for the play-offs; bettors might prefer match-by-match play-off bets on Bologna rather than long-term outrights given their current form.
Europa League: Roma on the Brink of Round of 16, Bologna Locked Into Play-offs
Roma and Bologna have both secured places in the Europa League play-offs after seven of eight league-phase rounds. Roma’s 2-0 win over VfB Stuttgart moved them into the top eight and put them within one point of guaranteeing a direct spot in the Round of 16. A draw at Panathinaikos in the final group match will confirm that finish and bypass the play-offs.
Bologna were held to a 2-2 draw by Celtic, leaving them on 12 points. The draw affected their standing in the group but they remain among the top seeds for the play-off stage ahead of their final match against Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
Key Match Outcomes
Roma 2-0 Stuttgart — a result that strengthened Roma’s bid for a top-eight finish and increased their chances of direct qualification.
Bologna 2-2 Celtic — a shared point that keeps Bologna in play-off contention as a seeded side going into the final round.
What This Means for Bettors
Roma: With just one point needed to secure top-eight status and automatic Round of 16 entry, safer bets include backing Roma to get at least a draw (or using a double-chance market). If you want higher returns, look at Roma to qualify directly in outright markets after their Stuttgart performance.
Bologna: Their draw leaves them as a play-off seed; bettors may prefer match-specific wagers in the play-offs rather than futures. Consider stakes on Bologna to progress in a single-leg tie or market options around over/under goals and first-leg outcomes.
Standings Snapshot (selected)
1 Lyon — 18 pts
2 Aston Villa — 18 pts
3 Freiburg — 17 pts
4 Midtjylland — 16 pts
5 Braga — 16 pts
6 Roma — 15 pts
14–15 Bologna — 12 pts (seeded for play-offs)
Looking Ahead
Roma travel to Panathinaikos needing a point to clinch direct qualification — a fixture that could see conservative, result-oriented tactics.
Bologna face Maccabi Tel-Aviv in their final group game with play-off seeding and form to consider before knockout planning.
Both Italian sides stay in continental action in February, but the markets will react sharply to Roma’s final group result.
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