Roma v Real Madrid: Ronaldo and co meet rejuvenated Romans
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Despite being Champions League regulars, Roma and Real Madrid haven’t met in the competition for eight years, but how will the Spaniard’s attacking prowess fare against a traditionally strict Italian defence?
A disastrous run of one win in nine games has all but ended Roma’s Serie A hopes for this season, while a place in next year’s Champions League is far from secure too.
Rudi Garcia was given the boot last month, and they’ve bounced back under Luciano Spalletti to win four in succession, but can they do anything to stop a rampant Real?
Cristiano Ronaldo and co have won seven and drawn two of their last nine, but have netted an eye-watering 37 goals in that spell.
Despite averaging over four goals a game, Roma’s hopes will lie with Real’s suspect away record.
The hosts are 3/1 for victory, and that could prove excellent value with the Spanish giants winning just one of their last five away games – and that was at relegation-battlers Granada – while a draw can be backed at 14/5.
But if you fancy Ronaldo to lead Los Blancos to another victory, then Ladbrokes are 4/5 on a Madrid win at the Stadio Olimpico.
We’ve been twiddling our thumbs all winter awaiting the return of Europe’s top club competition, and to show our joy, we’re boosting Ronaldo to score and Real Madrid to win from 11/10 to 13/8.
The Portugal star has a tidy return against i Giallorossi from his days with Manchester United, netting three times in just four appearances versus the three-time Serie A champions.
Whichever way this game swings, we should be seeing two busy goalkeepers.
All of the last four meetings between these two have seen over 2.5 goals (8/13), with both sides netting three times.
Current form suggests more reason to get on both teams to score at 8/13, with six of Roma’s last eight and seven of Real’s last nine seeing both keepers beaten.
Some may fancy the over 3.5 at 6/4, but with Roma conceding more than one goal only once in their last 13 matches, Real may find it a bit harder than usual to score their routine hatfuls.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
