Roma v Chelsea Odds

ROMA v CHELSEA BETTING – 4th NOVEMBER

Chelsea’s next Champions League encounter is away to Roma at the Stadio Olimpico, Rome on 4th November. With 3 matches played, Chelsea top Group A with 7 points, CFR Cluj having 4 points, with Roma and Bordeaux on 3 points each. Stan James rate the Blues as 1/14 chances to win the group, while Boylesports have them at 1/250 to progress beyond the group phase. Roma are 8/11 with Paddy Power to qualify. The Rome encounter will almost certainly decide the group winners.

Previous Meetings

Prior to their recent Champions’ League encounter, at Stamford Bridge, the two sides had not met previously. Roma, currently strugglers in Serie A, put up a resolute defensive display. The visitors seemed content to settle for a point and were happy to stop the Blues playing their way through the centre. Francesco Totti operated as a lone striker, giving Chelsea the responsibility of breaking down the defence. However, Roma came close to taking the lead via Matteo Brighi in the 35th minute, only being denied by an outstanding tackle by Chelsea skipper John Terry. Chelsea enjoyed a great advantage in terms of possession and created a number of chances which they failed to convert. However, there was little evidence of the “beautiful game” desired by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, as the home side were continually frustrated by the resilient defending of the visitors. Scolari’s demeanour clearly demonstrated his displeasure with Chelsea’s inability to get on top. John Terry finally put paid to Roma’s resistance with a second-half winner. Terry rose majestically above the defence to head home from Frank Lampard’s 77th minute corner, giving the Blues a 1-0 victory and retaining top spot in Group A.

Despite their currently lowly position in Serie A, this was a spirited performance from Roma. Chelsea will need to be at their best for the return fixture in Rome. The Blues remaining fixtures are a trip to Bordeaux, who they beat 4-0 at home, and a home tie with surprise package CFR Cluj, who were good value for their 0-0 home draw with Chelsea and won 2-1 in Rome. Given that Chelsea should pick up at least 4 points from these two games, a draw in Rome should be sufficient to secure the group, while a win should make it a formality.

Key Players

ROMA:

Doni
6ft 5in Donieber Alexander Marangon, or simply Doni as he is more frequently known, is a Brazilian international goalkeeper, who joined Roma in August 2005. His first team appearances were initially limited by the presence of Italian under-21 international ‘keeper Gianluca Curci, but a series of impressive performances in cup competitions soon saw him promoted to the starting line-up. He is now widely recognised as one of the best goalkeepers in Serie A.

Alberto Aquilani
24 year-old Alberto Aquilani is an Italian international midfielder, who, ironically, was offered a lucrative contract by Chelsea at the age of 16. Aquilani turned down the Blues’ offer, as his dream was to play for Roma. He is renowned for his thunderous long shots and while his goalscoring record is unspectacular (15 in 136 appearances for Roma), he has scored twice in 8 appearances in the 2008-09 season. Aquilani is often employed as a “holding” midfielder, a role in which he excels, as Chelsea discovered recently.

CHELSEA:

Deco
It came as little surprise that Deco, real name Anderson Luis de Souza, was coach Scolari’s first signing for the Blues. He signed the Portuguese international midfielder following a particularly impressive Euro 2008 tournament. The 31 year-old attacking midfielder has exceptional passing skills, which can tear opposing teams apart.

Salomon Kalou
Salomon Kalou was a surprise signing from Feyenoord Rotterdam in May 2006. Kalou was born in Ivory Coast but failed in a bid to obtain Dutch nationality in order to play for Holland at the 2006 World Cup. His Blues’ career started slowly, but with continuous improvement he regularly features on the left wing, or as an impact-making substitute. A pacy and dangerous performer, he can play on the wing or in a deep-lying role, making him a versatile asset.

All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds



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    • Written by Jason Tynan · Filed Under Champions League 

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