Our Big Game Focus today casts an eye on the Group G Champions League clash between Real Madrid and AS Roma.
Real will be looking to get back to winning ways at the Bernabeu, following their 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday. That result was the first time that Los Blancos dropped points this season.
Roma have themselves gone four matches without a win (two defeats and two draws), although one of the losses was in a friendly against Benevento.
This is our preview of the match between last year’s winners and last year’s semi-finalists. Read on for betting advice, team news and how either side are likely to line up.
Betting tips
Both Teams to Score has occurred in eight of Roma’s last nine matches, including pre-season friendlies. The same is true for ten out Real’s last 11 games, a run that stretches back to last season. Find odds of 1.50 for Both Teams to Score here.
The last time the two teams met in the Champions League, Real won each leg of their last 16 tie in 2016 2-0. All four goals were scored in the second half of their respective matches. Eight out of Madrid’s last nine goals have also come in the second periods of matches. Bet on the 2nd Half With Most Goals at 2.00 here.
Before the draw against Athletic at the weekend, Julen Lopetegui’s men had won all three of their La Liga matches this season. That record is definitely much better than that of Roma, who have only won one game so far this season. The Giallorossi will be really up against it in front of a passionate crowd at the Bernabeu. A Home Win is valued at 1.35 here.
Team news
The big decision for Lopetegui will be which goalkeeper to play, between Thibaut Courtois and Keylor Navas. Casemiro was rested for the weekend match in La Liga and is likely to return to the starting 11 in the place of Dani Ceballos. Isco scored the only goal at Bilbao, and should retain his spot ahead of Marco Asensio.
There are no new injury or suspension worries for Eusebio Di Francesco at Roma.
Likely line-ups
Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modrić; Bale, Benzema, Isco
AS Roma: Olsen; Florenzi, Manolas, Juan Jesus, Kolarov; Pellegrini, N’Zonzi, Cristante; Under, Džeko, El Shaarawy