Bayern Munich’s Champions League campaign has gone off to a perfect start with two wins out of two so far, but they have not at all looked convincing in doing so. The German champions will get arguably their toughest test to date when they travel to the Italian capital to face AS Roma, who are hot on their heels in Group E.
Two more European heayweights are set to face off when English giants Liverpool take on reigning champions Real Madrid. Check out our preview of that match here.
[sc:Soccer ]AS Roma vs. Bayern Munich Betting Preview
Where: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
When: Tuesday, October 21, 2:45 PM ET
Line: Bayern Munich -123 at AS Roma +270, tie +245; total 2.5 – view all soccer lines
Betting on AS Roma
The first two months of the season could not have gone any better for AS Roma, both domestically and in Europe. Roma are currently second in Serie A with five wins from their first six games, their lone defeat a highly dubious 3-2 defeat away to reigning champions Juventus.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]They’ve also impressed in the Champions League, starting off their campaign with a 5-1 thrashing of CSKA Moscow at home before collecting a very respectable 1-1 draw away to Manchester City.
Despite losing a key defender in Mehdi Benatia – whom they will face in a Bayern shirt – so close to the start of the season, Roma have maintained the solidity at the back that has been a key to their early success. The Romans had conceded just once in the league prior to their loss to Juve, and they’ve yet to concede a goal at home.
Much of their stability can be attributed to the three-man midfield of Radja Nainggolan, Seydou Keita and Miralem Pjanic. Nainggolan and Keita do most of the running and defensive duties, allowing Pjanic to orchestrate the offense with his excellent vision and incisive passing.
The midfield trio more than held their own against Juventus’ star-studded midfield, a performance they must replicate against Bayern’s somewhat weakened midfield.
Going forward, Roma don’t rely on a single individual for goals; instead, they score by committee, making them all the more dangerous. Their 17 goals this season have been scored by nine different players.
Betting on Bayern Munich
It’s been business as usual for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, where they’ve continued their domination over the league. Through seven games, the two-time defending German champions find themselves top with five wins and two draws, with a whopping 15 goals scored and just two conceded.
However, they have been markedly less dominant in the Champions League. They needed a late winner to beat Manchester City at home, and could only muster another 1-0 win away at CSKA Moscow.
Injuries to key midfielders certainly haven’t helped their cause. Bastian Schweinsteiger has yet to feature this season, while the Spanish duo of Javi Martinez and Thiago Alcantara are out for the year with serious knee injuries. As a result, manager Pep Guardiola has had to alter his formations in order to compensate for those key absentees.
But spare your sympathy for this team, which is still stacked with world-class talent, especially in attack. World Cup hero Mario Gotze has started the season very brightly with four goals, putting him level with star striker Robert Lewandowski, while the excellent Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller have three goals apiece.
Based on their recent performances though, don’t expect Bayern to go all guns blazing in Rome. Through four away games in all competitions, Bayern have scored just four goals. And given Bayern’s situation at the top of the group, an away draw against one of their main rivals will be a perfectly acceptable result.
Writer’s Prediction
Bayern adopt a more conservative approach against Roma, which the Italians find hard to break down. This meeting between the Group E leaders looks destined to be a goalless draw. Create a betting account now and enjoy all the best soccer action Europe has to offer.
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