Wednesday 4th April 2018 Kick off 1945hrs Barcelona v Roma Football – Europe – Champions League It was a toss up between Roma and Sevilla as to who the other quarter finalists of this year’s Champions League would have liked to have faced so on paper at least, Barcelona have been dealt a kinder drawn than most of the other fancied teams left competing to be crowned European champions. Roma have arguably surpassed their expectations for this season in terms of Europe but being underdogs appears to suit them so they will not be phased about carrying that tag once again as they travel to Spain for the first leg.
Barca had to ensure something of a scare in the previous round as Chelsea turned in a couple of resolute performances but eventually proved to be too good in the end. Lionel Messi ended the tie having scored three of the four goals, at the same time ending a hoodoo (of not having scored against Chelsea) which has plagued his career. He and his team-mates will soon be celebrating another Spanish title in the coming weeks but they will likely have to improve if they are to add their sixth Champions League. It’s fair to say they have been efficient, under Ernesto Valverde, but there are a number of occasions of late where the opposition have been able to trouble them and should have taken more advantage. The most recent of those came only at the weekend when Sevilla raced into a two goal lead and should have killed the game off only to leave time for Messi to do what he’s done countless times and pull Barca out a hole. Valverde will be hoping that his team start much better on Wednesday as they look to build a lead to take to the Italian capital in six days time.
Roma have went about their business very quietly in this year’s Champions League with very little attention cast upon them, yet they find themselves in the last eight. Admittedly, they have reached this stage by the narrowest of margins as they topped their section courtesy of a better head to head over Chelsea before getting past Shakthar Donetsk in the previous round on away goals. That level of performance is unlikely to see them extend their participation much longer but the Serie A outfit have proved stubborn opposition throughout their European campaign. Their only defeat in the group stage did come against Spanish opposition, though, losing 2-0 away to Altetico Madrid in late November. It will be a similar sort of challenge for them on Wednesday and their away record in the competition is in need of serious improvement overall with just one win in their last 14 games on the road in the Champions League. Coach Eusebio Di Francesco will be well aware of the test that awaits his team but these are the games he would have been hoping to be part of when taking over the job last summer, and he’ll be relishing the prospect of taking on Messi and company.
Barcelona v Roma Betting Tip
These two clubs have met only twice in the Champions League, with their most recent clash coming in 2015/16. Those games took place in the group stage as the then European Champions defeated the Italian outfit 6-1 at the Nou Camp following a 1-1 draw earlier in the campaign. The teams are much changed since then with new managers at the helm coming into their quarter final tie. Barcelona are the overwhelming favourites ahead of the first leg on Wednesday but Roma have shown – particularly by finishing ahead of Chelsea and Atletico Madrid in the group stage – that they can hold their own at this level.
Barca have not been troubled at home in the Champions League whatsoever this season with four wins from four. They’ve hit three goals in three of those games, totalling 11 goals, and conceded only once. It’s illustrative of how efficient they have been under Valverde and sets an almighty task for Roma who, as I’ve alluded to, struggle for the most part on their travels. That said, they have a decent defensive record of their own and will look to frustrate Messi, Suarez and the rest. The odds on a home win are prohibitive so we have to look elsewhere to find some value. The bet I most like is for Barca to win and keep a clean sheet. It has been a winner in six of their last nine home games in the Champions League and up against a Roma team who struggle on their travels, has a great chance of clicking once again.
Barcelona to win to nil 117/100 @ Marathon Bet
