Roma v Manchester City: Jovetic to renew old acquaintances
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After pulling off a minor miracle in beating Bayern Munich 3-2 at the Etihad, Manchester City head to the Stadio Olimpico looking to achieve another epic Champions League feat and seal one of the best group stage qualification comebacks in recent memory.
The Citizens may be without a win away from home in the competition so far this term but after seeing AS Roma stumble to a 2-2 draw last time out in the capital against unfashionable Sassuolo the 19/10 offered by Ladbrokes on a Sky Blues win may more than tempt.
Their Serie A opponents remain at 7/5 for victory while the draw is offered at 5/2 with the bookmaker, but for our money the following three tips look the most eye-catching ahead of kick-off.
With neither side particularly fond of defending this season, we could be in for a goalfest in Italy with over 3.5 goals scored in Roma’s two previous outings at home in Serie A and the same tally registered in each of their previous five Champions League encounters at the ground.
Manchester City, meanwhile, have been involved in games featuring over 3.5 goals in two of their last three European outings and have scored nine goals in their last three away games in the Premier League.
Sergio Aguero’s injury and Edin Dzeko’s lack of game time could see the mantle of goalscorer-in-chief fall upon Stevan Jovetic, with the Montenegrin expected to make a return for this encounter.
Fortunately the 25-year-old has a good record against Roma, having scored in two Fiorentina victories over the Giallorossi during his time in the colours of the Viola and after netting in his last appearance for City – a 4-1 win away at Sunderland – he looks the most likely scorer here.
Exactly three first-half goals were scored the last time the Sky Blues played away from home and while that tally came against a struggling Sunderland side, a repeat could yet be on the cards in Italy.
Three first-half strikes have been registered in City’s last two outings in the Champions League and with both teams likely to be on the offensive another 45-minute flurry may be in store.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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