AS Roma vs Real Madrid Prediction, Betting Tips & Preview

Preview

Joel Amorim Feb 16, 2016 @ 01:19 am

Next Wednesday, 17th of February 2016, the ten-time European champions Real Madrid will visit Rome to measure forces with AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico for the first-leg of the UEFA Champions 1/8 finals.

It will probably be a night for Zinedine Zidane to remember, as the Frenchman will make his debut as Real Madrid’s head coach in the UEFA Champions League. The former French international took the helm of Los Blancos early this year after Rafa Benitez’s departure and so far things are working very good for him. Five wins and one draw in six competitive matches is a fairly good record for someone with no major coaching experience, but it is fair to say that the two times Real Madrid have been tested away from Santiago Bernabéu, they have struggled to produce a solid performance. A 1-1 draw at Benito Villamarín against Real Betis and an extremely difficult 2-1 win at Granada, was the best Real Madrid managed to do away from home under Zidane’s stewardship.

Next Wednesday’s match against AS Roma will be a major test for Zidane’s Real Madrid and a good opportunity for them to sweep all the ghosts that keep taunting them under the rug once and for all.

For the important clash at Stadio Olimpico, Zidane will not be able to rely on services of Pepe and Gareth Bale, who remain sidelined due to injury. The Brazilian left back Marcelo, who is still recovering from a shoulder injury, is in doubt out there.

As for AS Roma, after the inconsistent performances under Rudi Garcia’s supervision, the Italian team decided to part ways with the French manager and appointed Luciano Spalletti as his replacement. Things didn’t started well for the former FC Zenit’s head coach on his return to AS Roma, but after their home win over Frosinone later last month, the Luppi seem to have regained some of the confidence they have lost.

AS Roma are currently on a four match undefeated streak and they are surely hoping to replicate their 2008 2-1 win when they take on Real Madrid next Wednesday night. Back then, with Spalletti at the helm of the team, AS Roma recorded a solid win with goals by Pizarro and Mancini.

For next Wednesday’s clash, Luciano Spalletti will not be able to rely on the contribution of Ponce and Gyömber, who are currently sidelined due to injury. Totti, De Rossi, Torosidis and Salah, who are not fully recovered from their respective injuries, are also in doubt out there.

AS Roma

Stats: W-4 L-1 D-0

Recent Form - WWWWL

Real Madrid

Stats: W-4 L-0 D-1

Recent Form - WWWDW

Possible Line-ups

AS Roma (4-2-3-1) – Szczesny - Florenzi - Manolas - Rudiger - Digne - Keita - Pjanic - El Shaarawy - Perotti - Dzeko

Real Madrid (4-3-3) – Navas - Danilo - Sergio Ramos - Varane - Carvajal - Kroos - Modric - Isco - James Rodriguez - Ronaldo - Benzema

Injury List / Suspended Players

AS Roma - Totti (in doubt) - De Rossi (in doubt) - Torosidis (in doubt) - Salah (in doubt) - Ponce (inj) - Gyömber (inj)

Real Madrid - Bale(inj) - Pepe (inj) - Marcelo (in doubt)

Head-to-head matches:

League Positions