Champions League
2008-04-09 - Manchester United vs AS Roma
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
UEFA Champions League - Quarter Finals
Wedensday, 9th April 2008 - KO 19:45 GMT
MANCHESTER UNITED (England)
Manchester United will feel that the job is almost done after winning 0-2 in Rome last week, but Sir Alex Ferguson has made it clear that he will be picking a strong line up to complete the win here.
United saw their 5 point lead at the top of the Premier League get cut down to 3 points after their 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough on Sunday. United are 15-1-1 at Old Trafford in the league this season where they have scored 41 goals and only conceded 5. In Europe, United have won all 4 home games so far this season, including a 1-0 win over Roma back in September.
The draw at Middlesbrough stopped United's 5 game winning run, a run that included 4 clean sheets. They have only suffered 1 defeat from their last 12 games in all competitions and have won 9 of those games. United have won 5 out of their last 6 games at Old Trafford and also the last 3 there. They have also only conceded 1 goal in those 6 games. United have managed a clean sheet in 7 of their last 9 games in all competitions.
Nemanja Vidic is a continued absence and United will hope to have a better defensive performance than the one they game on Sunday. Rio Ferdinand was given an injury boost after limping off on Sunday, and he has a chance to being fit to play in this game although im not sure he will be risked so close to the Arsenal game. Ferdinand will be a decision made on Wednesday morning.
If he does not make it, Mikael Silvestre or Gary Neville will come in although both players will get to play a part after returning from long term injuries. United will make some changes from Sundays game, and it is expected that Anderson, Hargreaves and possibly Park will have starting spots.
AS ROMA (Italy)
Roma know the size of the task at hand after suffering a 7-1 defeat at United last season at the same stage of the competition. They are still 4 points behind Inter Milan in the race for Serie A and there might be a concern to ensure their players are fit for league duty this Sunday.
Roma have a solid 7-6-3 away record this season in Italy where they have scored 22 and conceded 15 goals. Roma have a 2-1-1 record away from home in Europe this season and will need a performance like they produced in Madrid in the last round if they are to progress.
Roma have lost 2 of their last 5 games and have lost some momentum that they had built up in February and March. Roma are also unbeaten in their last 4 away games and that includes a visit to Inter Milan and to Real Madrid. The Italians will be concerned that they have only kept 1 clean sheet from their last 9 away games especially with the firepower at United's disposal.
Francesco Totti will miss this game as Roma hope to get him ready for the weekend game at Udinese. Simone Perotta returns from suspension but there are injury concerns regarding Alberto Aquilani. David Pizarro will get the start if Aquilani fails to recover from injury. Juan has also travelled with the squad and Roma will be hoping he can resume his partnership with Mexes at centre back.
HEAD TO HEAD
United and Roma meet for the 6th time in a little over 12 months and United hold the edge. united have won both games at Old Trafford and also have the win from last week in Rome.
Roma managed to win the first leg of the quarter final last season at home and also drew 1-1 there earlier this season.
PREDICTION :
United will not be making the wholesale changes that many expected after their performance in the first leg and Sir Alex has made it clear that winning is still important to establish momentum as the season winds to a close.
Ronaldo and Rooney should both be given starts and they will pose a problem to Roma on the counter attack, especially as Roma will have to commit men forward. On the other hand, Roma may feel they have an opportunity with the insecurities United displayed at the back on Sunday and if they can score first there might be some doubt in United's mind.
I think the game will be cautious for the first 45 minutes for United who will look to ensure Roma do not score, and I feel in the 2nd half United may go on to score a killer goal to put Roma away.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
MANCHESTER UNITED 1-0 AS ROMA
BEST BETTING TIP :
BET: MANCHESTER UNITED TO WINDRAW HT-MAN UTD FT (SMALL BET)
