'I start Roma as slight favourites'

Roma celebrate a goal

Former Brighton player Adam Virgo believes the Seagulls and Europa League last-16 opponents Roma are closely matched, but thinks the Italian side are "slight favourites" to progress to the quarter-finals.

Brighton are ninth in the Premier League but are missing two of their main attacking threats, Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma, because of injury.

Meanwhile, Roma are fifth in Serie A and enter the first leg in good form, having won six of their past seven league games.

"If I look at the line-ups of the teams, goalkeepers are 50-50, defence is 50-50, I think Brighton have got a better midfield but I think Roma have got a better attacking line," Virgo on BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast.

"I'm pleased the away leg is first. You can set your stall out slightly easier than at home because you would expect to attack a team a little bit more. So I think that does work into Brighton's favour a little bit, but I do start Roma as slight favourites with the quality they've got and the squad Daniele [de Rossi] has got available to select from.

"For me Serie A is the second best league now. You've seen them go far in Europe - they had three finalists last season in each of the competitions. It's arguably the top two leagues going against each other.

"Brighton have shown resilience before and they're going to have to do it again. There are no easy teams now at this stage - it's not like teams have got there by chance.

"But Roma are going to fear Brighton as much as Brighton will respect them."

Listen to a full preview of Roma v Brighton on BBC Sounds

An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date