The UEFA Champions League group phase will close down this week with the Round 6 matches, and in this preview, we’ll take a closer look at the Group C games set for Tuesday, December 5th, 2017, when AS Roma hosts Qarabag at Stadio Olimpico.
Down below you will find some interesting betting picks and predictions, so don’t waste your time and join the action here on GetMoreSports.
AS ROMA vs. QARABAG
3-Way: 1: AS Roma -588; X: +1250 Draw; 2: Qarabag +3850 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -2.5: AS Roma -111; Qarabag +106
Total +3.5: Over +104; Under -108
AS ROMA
The Magic One is close to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, but they need one more victory in the sixth round of the group phase against Qarabag to secure at least the second spot of the Group C table. On the other side, if Atletico Madrid fails to get three points against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, AS Roma will secure the UEFA Champions League knockout phase even if they lose to Qarabag in front of the home fans this Tuesday. However, AS Roma is a massive favorite against the Azerbaijani side, and bookies expect to see a demolition job at Stadio Olimpico. In their first H2H clash this season, The Magic One earned a well-deserved 2:1 victory at Baku National Stadium.
AS Roma is playing in a pretty good form since the start of the season, and currently, they are sitting at the fourth spot of the Italian Serie A with an 11-1-2 record, and a 27:10 goal difference. At Stadio Olimpico, they have recorded six victories and two losses with a 14:7 goal difference. In the previous ten matches in all competitions AS Roma has recorded seven wins, two draws, and just one defeat against Atletico Madrid on the road, 2:0, in the previous round of the UEFA Champions League. On last weekend, they have easily beaten SPAL on the home soil, 3:1, taking 37 shots toward the visitors’ goalkeeper.
The 31-year old striker Edin Dzeko is the team’s leading scorer this season with 11 goals in 19 appearances in all competitions, while the 25-year old forward Stephan El Shaarawy bagged six goals in 17 matches thus far. The 29-year old winger Diego Perotti scored four goals in 15 appearances, along with a couple of assists. The 32-year old left-back Aleksandar Kolarov is the team’s best assist-maker with eight dishes in 18 matches this season, also adding three goals to his name, while Stephan El Shaarawy made five dishes so far.
The manager Eusebio Di Francesco can count on all his key players for the next match, while the 26-year old striker Gregoire Defrel (knee problems) is listed as doubtful.
QARABAG
Qarabag will finish their first UEFA Champions League campaign at the bottom of the Group C table, as they’ve earned just two points after the first five rounds with a 2:13 goal difference. They have managed to upset Atletico Madrid twice this season, earning two unexpecting draws, and now they are Atleti’s only hope they could reach the UEFA Champions League knockout phase. Qarabag will try to upset AS Roma on Tuesday, but it is going to be a quite difficult task.
In the previous round of the UEFA Champions League Qarabag was heavily beaten by Chelsea in front of the home fans, 4:0, and it was their only defeat in the previous five matches in all competitions along with four victories. In their last match in the domestic championship, Qarabag has recorded a 1:0 victory on the home soil over Neftci Baku, and they are currently at the top of the Azerbaijani Premier League with an 11-1-1 record and a 23:6 goal difference.
The 27-year old South African striker Dino Ndlovu is the team’s leading scorer with nine goals in 22 appearances in all competitions, while the 20-year old winger Mahir Madatov scored seven goals in 20 matches this season. Dino Ndlovu is also Qarabag’s best assist-maker with five dishes thus far, while Mahir Madatov and the midfielder Richard made four dishes each. The 32-year old midfielder Michel is another key player in Qarabag’s squad with five goals and three assists in 20 appearances this season,
The manager Gurban Gurbanov will miss the winger Pedro Henrique for the next match due to a red card suspension, while all other players are ready to go.
AS ROMA vs. QARABAG – Match Prediction
I believe AS Roma will secure the next of the UEFA Champions League with a convincing victory in this one, although the visitors will surely take a defensive approach.
MY PICK: AS Roma AH -2.5 (-111)
