Written by Damien Kayat for @Hollywoodbets.
Manchester City vs AS Roma | Tuesday 30 September | Etihad Stadium | 20:45
This match pits two extremely topical European pretenders against each other in a fascinating barometer of both side’s aspirations. City are the current English Champions while Roma have begun their season in an inspired fashion, setting up an interesting study in comparison between the highly touted Premier League and Italy’s Serie A. Roma have only won once in fourteen outings to England, but following their terrific opening round victory over CSKA, expectation is high that the side could be on the way to establishing themselves as a credible European force. City will look to close the door on Roma’s lofty ambitions as they too seek to cement their own European pedigree.
To Win (90mins)
Manchester City 13/20
Draw 11/4
AS Roma 4/1
Manchester City
Manuel Pellegrini’s side started the season in a slightly lugubrious mode, leaving many to doubt their domestic and European ambitions. But they have recently recaptured some of last season’s ruthlessness, scoring eleven goals in their last two outings. Edin Dzeko – always a striker I feel thrives on confidence – was excellent at Hull and should lead the line this week. Stefan Jovetic has returned to the squad following his hamstring injury, giving Pellegrini more options in assembling his talented side. Nasri will miss out due to a groin problem while, more crucially, the powerful midfield presence of Fernando will also be absent due to a groin strain. Joe Hart will replace Willy Caballero in the starting line-up while Mangala will look to exorcise the weekend’s demons alongside Vincent Kompany.
Sergio Aguero will obviously be key to City; his ability to get behind defences opens up the room for the likes of Dzeko and Silva. Yaya Toure will also have to finely balance his role as the more progressive holding midfielder, as you feel City will need his lung-busting runs here. City also have the luxury of having Frank Lampard on the bench, a player not only in fine goal scoring form, but one with immeasurable European pedigree. I feel that Zabaleta and Kolarov have enough pace to really get at the experienced full-back combination of Ashley Cole and Maicon, and Pellegrini will be only too aware of his side’s need to press the play here.
Roma
Rudi Garcia’s Giallorossi have enjoyed a fine start to the season. They have employed a stylish approach that is not typically endemic of fine Italian football. Gervinho has left Arsenal supporters confounded with performances of increasing maturity and class. His pace, along with Pjanic, allows the totemic Roma figurehead Francesco Totti to ghost into dangerous pockets of space. Ashley Cole’s return to England will no doubt be met with derision by the crowd – whilst also opening up the almost sacrilegious prospect of seeing him and Frank Lampard on a football pitch in opposing sides.
Roma’s record in England is dismal, as mentioned before, and they will be up against a powerful City squad. City may have narrowly lost to Bayern, but they also lost their first game last year before winning the remaining five. I feel that Maicon and Cole, experienced as they are, will not be as comfortable against the overlapping runs of Kolarov and Zabaleta as they are in Italy. Roma look to be a side on the rise but may run into a side whose ascendance is just at a slightly more developed stage.
VERDICT: Manchester City 13/20
This game is quite difficult to call, but I really don’t see Pellegrini’s side losing, especially considering the necessity of the result following their defeat to Bayern. Roma have some quality players but should be ultimately ousted by a City side with more youth and guile. I’m tempted to go for the City outright win, but perhaps the double chance with City to win or draw at 1/6 would be more prudent, especially for exotics and especially given Roma’s impressive defensive reputation. But I really feel that Pellegrini’s side will click this week and give Italian league football more food for thought. At 13/20, the price is right.
The man knows his football, but even he gets it wrong from time to time. Feel free to share your view below.
