Roma vs Barcelona: Predictions and Preview

Roma vs Barcelona
Champions League Quarterfinal Second Leg
Date: 10th April 2018, Tuesday
Kick-off at 19:45 UK/ 20:45 CET
Venue: Stadio Olimpico (Rome).

Barcelona are 90 minutes away from securing their tickets to Champions League semifinal at the expense of AS Roma. A thumping 4-1 win at Camp Nou in the first leg put them in a commanding position and all they need now is a disciplined defensive performance from Gerard Pique and co.

Roma are unbeaten at home in Champions League this season, having picked up 3 wins and a draw from the four games. Also, they are yet to concede a goal at Stadio Olimpico during the period.

Yet, Roma are yet to make a semifinal appearance in Champions League under the new format. Their two quarterfinal appearances happened in 2006 and 2007. They were eliminated by Manchester United on both occasions, one of those handed them their heaviest defeat in the competition when Cristiano Ronaldo run rout at the Old Trafford in a 7-1 win.

The Catalans are in the quarterfinals for 9th year running. They made it to the semifinals on 6 of the previous 8 before losing out at this same stage in the last two seasons.

Barcelona haven’t lost a game in Champions League or Spanish La Liga this season and are the only team to do upto to this point. Besides, their defense has been solid this season and conceded just 19 goals from the 40 matches combined from European and domestic leagues. Thus, we can completely rule out a dramatic comeback from the Italians on Tuesday.

Roma vs Barcelona: Head-to-head

• The Blaugrana lead the h2h against Roma with 2 wins and 2 draws from 5 games losing once.
• Four of the five meetings between Barcelona and Roma saw both teams scoring.
• Roma are unbeaten at home against Barcelona in the 2 games so far, they won 3-0 in 2002 and drew 1-1 in 2015.

• Roma vs Barcelona: Prediction

  There is no way that Roma can overturn the 3 goal deficit against Barcelona. They are playing for pride here and therefore expect them to go hard on the visitors.
  Barcelona drew 3 of their 4 Champions League games this season. Moreover, they had won just once in their last 6 visits to Italy and none in two visits to Roma.
  Due to the above reasons, it will be a good idea to back Roma to stay undefeated in the second leg.
  Meanwhile, I don’t see Roma’s back four keeping the likes of Messi and Suarez quiet. Meantime, I am very positive on Edin Dzeko to carry on his scoring form. So, goals are expected at both ends. And the correct full-time score prediction 1-1 is the most probable in this Champions League second leg quarterfinal tie.
•