ROME (Interstat) — A crucial Europa League knockout stage clash awaits at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday as AS Roma hosts Germany’s VfB Stuttgart.

The match pits a Roma side finding its domestic form against a Stuttgart squad that has been dominant in European competition this season. Roma enters following a 2-0 Serie A victory at Torino on Sunday, its fourth win in its last five league matches. Stuttgart, meanwhile, arrives in emphatic fashion after thrashing Maccabi Tel Aviv 4-1 in its final group stage match on Dec. 11.

Stuttgart’s European campaign has been defined by potent attacking displays. The German club scored four goals in each of its final two group stage wins over Maccabi Tel Aviv and Go Ahead Eagles, and netted two against Feyenoord. However, its form has been inconsistent, with shutout losses on the road to Fenerbahçe and Basel.

Roma’s schedule shows a mixed bag of results, primarily from domestic and youth league fixtures. Highlights include a 3-1 win over Genoa and a 2-0 victory against Sassuolo, but also losses to rivals Juventus and Atalanta.

The statistical service Interstat projects a tightly contested draw, simulating a final score of 1-1.

For Stuttgart, this begins a pivotal period with the second leg of this tie against Young Boys looming next Thursday. Roma faces a demanding fixture list, with a Serie A showdown against AC Milan on Sunday before traveling to face Panathinaikos in the next Europa League round.

Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. local time (2000 GMT) on Jan. 22.