Budapest will play host to the first of the three UEFA finals in what looks a very difficult to call affair.
Sevilla are the undisputed kings of this competition, with their record six wins double that of their closest rivals. Their quest for an incredible seventh title saw them take down PSV Eindhoven, Fenerbahce, Manchester United and Juventus, having entered at the play-off round after finishing third in their Champions League group.
Jose Luis Mendilibar has led an impressive revival during a season of much upheaval at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, with Sevilla nestled safely in mid-table with only one LaLiga fixture left to play this term having been left in relegation trouble during a dire run under Julen Lopetegui’s short-lived successor Jorge Sampaoli. His contract expires this summer.
Standing between Sevilla and more greatness in Europe’s secondary club competition is Roma, who lifted the inaugural Europa Conference League trophy with victory over Feyenoord in Tirana 12 months ago.
After finishing as runners-up to Real Betis in the group stage of this competition, Jose Mourinho’s side knocked out Red Bull Salzburg, Real Sociedad, Feyenoord and Bayer Leverkusen en route to another final.
Doubts continue to swirl over Mourinho’s future with the Giallorossi, who are battling for a top-six finish in Serie A with one game left. Victory here would see ‘the Special One’ win a sixth European title with a fourth different club, while he would also be the first manager to win the Europa League with three different clubs after past successes with both Inter Milan and Manchester United.
Date, kick-off time and venue
The Europa League final is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off tonight on Wednesday May 31, 2023.
The match will take place at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary.
Where to watch Sevilla vs Roma
TV channel: In the UK, tonight’s final will be broadcast live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate, with coverage beginning at 7:15pm BST ahead of an 8pm kick-off time.
However, BT also announced on Tuesday that all three major European finals over the coming weeks would be made available to watch for free via their website and YouTube channel.
Live stream: A free live stream will be available online via the BT Sport website and YouTube channel.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Sevilla vs Roma team news
Sevilla have received a number of fitness boosts for this final, with defenders Marcao and Tanguy Nianzou both making the trip to Hungary after injury, along with Spanish midfielder Joan Jordan.
However, Argentine World Cup-winning left-back Marcos Acuna is suspended after his red card against Juventus. He was also sent off in the LaLiga defeat by Real Madrid at the weekend. Marseille loanee Pape Gueye and Mexico winger Tecatito are both ineligible for the Europa League, meanwhile.
Back in action: Roma defender Chris Smalling will be expecting to start in Budapest
/ REUTERSFormer Manchester United and England defender Chris Smalling is set to be fit for Roma following a hip issue, though Albanian international Marash Kumbulla and Dutch right-back Rick Karsdorp remain in the treatment room with long-term knee injuries.
Paulo Dybala is hoping to start in attack after an ankle problem, with Italy wing-back Leonardo Spinazzola also in training this week.
Sevilla vs Roma prediction
Mourinho simply doesn’t lose European finals. He has yet to be outdone in five previous showpiece appearances on the continent. However, Sevilla are the absolute kings of this competition.
Neither team is in great form, with Sevilla having won none of their last three matches and Roma without a win in four since their semi-final first-leg defeat of Leverkusen, with a goalless draw in the return fixture enough to see them through.
Expect a tight, cagey affair likely to be settled by the odd goal, with Sevilla perhaps just shading it.
Sevilla to win, 1-0.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Remarkably, these two sides have only ever met once before in a competitive fixture.
That was back in August 2020, when goals from Sergio Reguilon and Youssef En-Nesyri sealed a 2-0 Sevilla win and their place in the Europa League quarter-finals.
That was a one-off tie played in Duisburg, Germany, with the first leg postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Sevilla ended up winning the tournament for the sixth time, beating Inter Milan 3-2 in a thrilling final in Cologne.
Sevilla vs Roma match odds
Sevilla to lift the trophy: 9/5
Roma to lift the trophy: 9/5
Draw: 15/8
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
