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All Italian Round 16 clash in the Europa League, with Roma favorites to qualify after snatching a 1-1 draw in Firenze. The result was a tiny bit surprising considering Roma’s poor form, and the question is if the Giallorossi can outdo themselves again in this competition.
Roma and Rudi Garcia just can`t stop the recent downfall, the home team recording no less than 11 draws in the last 15 matches in all competitions, winning only 2 times in regular time. Roma took another step downwards over the weekend, managing to lose 2-0 to Sampdoria in a match that Rudi Garcia was desperate to win in order to keep a foothold on the second place.
Fiorentina is in much better form than Roma right now, navigating over an incredibly tough run of matches and passing them with flying colors – 4 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss in 8 matches exclusively against top teams, from Tottenham to Roma or Juventus. La Viola were better in the first leg and probably deserved to win it, but Keita`s late goal leaves them with a lot of work to do today, especially as they have some fitness issues in the lineup.
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Team news & lineups:
Roma will be unhappy to have Nainggolan suspended, aside from the injuries to Castan and Strootman. Ibarbo and Maicon are doubtful. Fiorentina will have to do without strikers Gomez, Bernardeschi and Rossi, possibly Babacar as well. Savic and Tatarusanu will probably miss the game as well.
AS Roma: De Sanctis – Torosidis, Manolas, Astori, Cole – Pjanic, De Rossi, Keita – Gervinho, Totti, Ljajic
Fiorentina: Neto – Richards, Rodriguez, Basanta, Pasqual – Fernandez, Pizarro, Borja Valero – Salah, Babacar, Ilicic
This has all the makings of a tentative, rugged and risk free game. Roma will be more than happy to record a classic goaless draw this time around and will take even less risks than usual – if somebody knows how to play the draw, it`s Roma. Fiorentina with not the best team news in the offensive line will struggle to get that away goal. All in all the first half is set to be a very cautious affair, with no risks taken, both teams trying to stay safe at the back and complete the job in the second half. My tip is a draw at half time. I do think Roma will manage to qualify, but I would not bet on it. Prediction: AS Roma – Fiorentina 1-0 (0-0 half time).
Pick: Half time draw
Odds: 2.15 @ Bwin
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 8.05
Event date: 19 March
