Roma vs Barcelona Prediction and Preview – 16/09/2015
Champions League preview – Roma vs Barcelona prediction
Roma have been experimenting recently with different combinations of players all over the pitch which is an indication towards their squad depth. With the Injury to Miralem Pjanic it’s likely that Roma will field a midfield three with De Rossi in the central role. Roma have formed a strong defence with the loan signings of Rüdiger and Digne which will provide them with a solid unit to quell Barcelona.
Thomas Vermaelen has enjoyed a brilliant start to the season, however he will be out with a calf injury. Ter Stegen is likely to start the game in goal considering Bravo also has a knock. Barcelona conceded their first league goal against Atletico Madrid, and the return of Gerard Piqué will only solidify their defence further, meaning they’re only an injured player or two away from being at their strongest.
Possible Line-ups
Roma: 4-3-3 formation: Szczęsny; Florenzi, Rüdiger, Manolas, Digne; Nainggolan, De Rossi, Keita; Salah, Džeko, Falqué.
Barcelona: 4-3-3 formation: Ter Stegen; Alba, Piqué, Mascherano, Sergi Roberto; Iniesta, Busquets, Rakitić; Neymar, Suárez, Messi
Statistics
- Roma have won 4, drawn 3 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches.
- Barcelona have won 4, drawn 3 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches.
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Roma have scored an average of 1.7 goals and conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game.
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Barcelona have scored an average of 1.6 goals and conceded an average of 1.7 goals per game.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Roma’s previous 10 matches.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of Barcelona’s previous 10 matches.
- The teams met in August in a friendly this year which ended in a 3-0 win for Barcelona. There has only ever been three meetings between the sides
Prediction
As Juventus’ nearest contenders for the league last season, Roma will be extremely happy with their start to the season as they sit in joint second in the Serie A. They will look to worry Barcelona by attacking with pace through Salah and Falqué, however if they expose themselves in midfield they could get torn apart.
Barcelona may be top of the Liga BBVA, however they are sitting on two 1-0 victories from three games. The win over Atletico Madrid was big in order to give them some impetus, especially with Lionel Messi scoring his first league goal of the season. Luis Enrique would be delighted with a win over the team he managed three years ago.
I think it will be a tight game although Barcelona have more quality man for man which should see them get a slender win.
Tips
Barcelona to win at 5/8 – Click here to bet with Unibet
Both teams to score in the first half at 15/4 – Click here to bet with Unibet
Lionel Messi to score anytime and Barcelona to win 2-1 at 13/1 – Click here to bet with Unibet
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What are your predictions?