Champions League
2008-11-04 - Roma vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Roma
Roma are having a really hard season so far and find themselves only 1 point clear of the relegation zone in Serie A. They have a 2-1-6 record with 9 goals scored and 17 conceded. The Italian side have been much more solid at home where they have a 2-1-1 record, scoring 6 goals and conceding 5. When taking into consideration that 4 of those 5 goals was conceded in 1 match, Roma have proven harder to beat at home than on their travels.
Roma are 3rd in the Champions League group with a 1-0-2 record. They have lost their only previous home game in the group when they were stunned by Cluj on Matchday 1.
Roma will need to improve rapidly if they are to get anything out of this game, as they have lost 5 games in a row, scoring only 1 goal in that time. They also lost their last home game 0-4 but had won their previous 2 at the Olympico.
The big news coming out of Rome is the loss of Francesco Totti, who is suffering from a knee injury.
Chelsea
Chelsea have recently lost their 86 game unbeaten run at home in domestic competition but have bounced back from that with 2 wins, scoring 8 goals and conceding 0. They top the Premier League on goal difference with their 8-2-1 record, and they have scored 27 goals while only conceding 4. Chelsea are a perfect 5-0-0 away from home so far this season, scoring 14 goals and only conceding 1.
A win tonight will almost guarantee Chelsea a place in the next round of the Champions League and perhaps also almost ensure they finish top of the group. They have a 2-1-0 record from their 3 games but only drew their away game.
Chelsea come into this game with 5 wins from their last 6 games. The Blues have only conceded 1 goal in their last 9 competitive games and they have won 6 of their last 7 away games. Chelsea have kept 5 consecutive clean sheets away from home.
Didier Drogba is expected to earn a place on the bench today. Ashley Cole is missing from the squad after suffering an injury.
Head to Head
Chelsea managed to beat Roma 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Matchday 3.
Prediction
Chelsea looked surprisingly lethargic in their 0-1 defeat against Liverpool recently, but they have been so good defensively while creating chances in their other games. Their away record in quite amazing so far this season and I think they will really fancy their chances in this game.
Roma are struggling for form and results. They cannot score and cannot keep clean sheets and this is going to cause problems for any team in football. The fear is they will look to contain Chelsea as they did 2 weeks ago, but their fans will demand attacking football and this could cost them in this game.
Chelsea are looking too strong for Roma at this moment and the odds have to be worth chancing. A win here would put Scolari in a position to concentrate on the league until February and I think Chelsea will take that opportunity.
The Pick :
Roma 0-2 Chelsea
