Italian Serie A
2011-12-12 - A.S Roma vs Juventus
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Football - Italy - Serie A
Monday, 12th December 2011 - Kickoff 7:45pm
Match Preview :
Roma welcome leaders Juventus to the Stadio Olimpico and the hosts are in somewhat of a crisis after having lost their last two games before tonight's encounter.
The Roma fans were unhappy with coach Luis Enrique after their side were beaten 3-0 by Fiorentina which was back to back defeat for the capital city side.
The Roma faithfuls wanted Enrique to resign as well and waited at the train station to hurl abuse at the coach. The defeat was a painful one as Roma will lose the services of Juan, Fernando Gago and Bojan Krkic who were all red carded in that match.
To make matters worse for Luis Enrique, he will have to reshuffle his defence as the like of Simon Kjaer and Marco Cassetti join Nicolas Burdisso, David Pizarro and Fabio Borini on the injured lists.
Daniele De Rossi could become a makeshift centre-back to fill the gaps as their options are severely limited. It is nothing new as midfielders Rodrigo Taddei and Simone Perrotta have often been used as makeshift full-backs this season already.
The only piece of good news is that Pablo Daniel Osvaldo will return from his club-imposed suspension for punching teammate Erik Lamela while Francesco Totti has also fully recovered from that ankle injury and is expected to feature.
We could very likely see a starting spot for Federico Viviani, the Under-20 international and captain of the Roma youth team to come into the first team.
Juventus are the leaders and are still unbeaten in Serie A. In their last five games Juve have won four and drawn just once.
In midweek Juventus had to work hard as they were forced into extra time for the Coppa Italia by Bologna, but Claudio Marchisio ensured they manged a 2-1 win on the night.
Andrea Pirlo returns to the Juventus side after he served suspension last week. The only absentee for Juve is Mirko Vucinic, who will not be able to face his former side. It is unfortunate as he would want to prove his worth considering that he left Roma precisely because of his terrible relationship with the local fans. But there is another player in Simone Pepe who grew up in the Roma youth academy in the side as well.
Head to head
Juventus have a good record at the Stadio Olimpico. In their last seven visits to Rome in all competition, Juventus have earned six victories and a 2-2 draw.
Juventus are unbeaten at the Olimpico since a 4-0 drubbing in February 2004, which remains their only loss here in 11 years.
Possible lineups
Roma : Stekelenburg; Rosi, De Rossi, Heinze, Taddei; Perrotta, Viviani, Pjanic; Totti; Osvaldo, Lamela
Juventus : Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio; Pepe, Matri, Estigarribia
Predictions :
Take Juventus to win give the 1/2 ball here.
The Statistics :
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Pick :
A.S Roma 0-1 Juventus
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Juventus to win.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Main Bet:
Take Juventus and give the 1/2 ball.
Take Juventus and give the 1/2 ball.
