Betdistrict.com
FC Barcelona and AS Roma will square off at Camp Nou in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal tie.
FC Barcelona has pretty much been in cruise control mode in La Liga over the last few weeks, as they virtually have the title on lock with a 9 point advantage at the top of the table. Still, they continued to pile up the wins and have been very solid, particularly at home – where they have an amazing record this season: 25 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss in 29 matches in all competitions. Their strength at home was also what got them trough in the previous UCL round, when they easily took care of Chelsea at Camp Nou, 3-0, after 1-1 away.
Roma has been in great form since the start of March, posting 4 consecutive wins before being held to a 1-1 draw by Bologna last weekend – but Roma definitely had this game against Barcelona in mind, even though they didn`t rest many player against Bologna. Roma is fighting for a Top 4 spot right now in Serie A, while in the Champions League they defeated Shakhtar Donetsk via away goals in the previous round (1-2, 1-0).
Bet on Barcelona vs. Roma and claim your 100% (100 Eur) freebet at Ohmbet now!Team news & lineups:
Samper, Digne and Busquets are doubtful for Barcelona, while Coutinho is ineligible. Roma won`t be able to count on Karsdorp, while Nainggolan is a doubt.
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen – Alba, Pique, Umtiti, Roberto – Rakitic, Paulinho, Iniesta – Suarez, Messi, Dembele
AS Roma: Becker – Florenzi, Manolas, Fazio, Kolarov – Pellegrini, De Rossi, Strootman – Under, Dzeko, Perotti
Roma didn`t have the greatest season so far, particularly in Serie A, but their recent form has been very solid. Nevertheless, playing at Camp Nou will be an entirely different proposition.
Barcelona is exceptionally strong at home and proved it time and time again this season, including in the previous UCL round against Chelsea – giving their English visitors no chance at Camp Nou, after Chelsea was very competitive in the first leg in London.
16 out of Barcelona`s 29 home games this season (all competitions) ended with Barca winning by 2 or more goals. This should be the case again here, as the in form hosts should have too much for a team like Roma. Look for Barca to own possession and put pressure right from the start, eventually grinding the visitors down.
My tip is Barcelona to win and cover the -1,25 asian handicap. Odds are on the low side, but they are fair, and this is a simple bet which gives some safety net in case Barcelona only wins by one (in which case we get half of the stakes back). Prediction: FC Barcelona – AS Roma 3-0.
Pick: Barcelona (-1,25 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 1.49 @ 18Bet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 3.92
Event date: 4 April
