Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk Betting Preview – UEFA Champions League 13th March 7.45pm
Roma, who were the favourites to win this tie find themselves 2-1 down in their contest against Ukraine opponents Shakhtar Donetsk. Roma took the lead in the first leg but they found themselves behind at the final whistle and with some work to do. But they are a decent side and will be expected to turn this around. But can the visitors pull off a shock by hanging in there?
Roma News and Form
The Italians had opened the scoring in the first leg out in Kharkiv but they let Shakhtar back into the tie and now find themselves 2-1 down. Back in the group stage, Roma finished top of their section and they are battling away in the round of sixteen for the sixth time in their history. However, they have not been past this stage for a decade now, losing each of their last three ties at this stage. Their round of 16 record is W2 L3. With that defeat in the first leg, Roma have actually lost their last five games now at this stage of the competition. Their home form against sides from the Ukraine is an unbeaten W2 D2 so that’s a positive. When Roma beat Karabakh on match day two in the group stage, that snapped an eight-match Champions League sequence of winless games that they were on. They did also get the better of Chelsea at the Stadio Olimpico in the group stage afterwards. Roma though have actually now won just four of their last 22 games in this competition (D8 L10). So they are going to have to dig deep in this one somewhat because this looks as if it could be a pretty even tie right down to the wire. A Roma 1-0 correct score at bet365 is at 15/2 odds. The Giallorossi have only gone W2 D1 L4 in their last seven home games in all competitions and looking a bit nervy.
Shakhtar Donetsk News and Form
Shakhtar don’t have form in the round of sixteen either, losing their last two appearances at his stage. In their last two away games at this stage of the tournament, they have shipped ten and score no goals. The Pitmen are just W1 L3 from four previous two-legged ties against Italians opposition and they have been to Italy this season already when they lost 3-0 at Napoli in the group stage, which was after winning 2-1 at home against them. Shakhtar’s overall record in Italy is W1 D2 L7. From their three games in this season’s group stage, the Pitmen posted a W1 L2 record but were on a five-match winning streak away from home in Europe before a loss at Man City on match day two. Away from home, Shakhtar are actually W9 L3 in European action. Shakhtar have won 15 of the 19 UEFA competition ties in which they were victorious in the home first leg so there is every reason to expect them to be in this and both teams to score at bet365 is at 4/6 odds. When winning 2-1 at home in the first leg, Shakhtar’s aggregate record is W1 L1.
Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk Head to Head
The two have come together before this season’s tie. The first time was in the 2006/07 group stage together and they traded home wins then. Then back the 2010/11 season they were paired up in the round of sixteen and was fairly easy for Shakhtar, winning 3-2 in the first leg in Rome and then collecting a 2-1 victory back on home soil.
Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk Betting Odds*
Roma 8/13, Draw 3/1, Shakhtar Donetsk 9/2* (Betting Odds taken at 00:39 a.m. on March 10th, 2018)
Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk Predictions:
There is plenty of life in this tie still and Shakhtar are a real threat here too. The two sides look pretty evenly matched up and with Roma not having great form at home right now, it could be worth backing the away side to go and get themselves a precious draw.
