Champions League: Man Utd vs Roma After first leg and 2:0 win at Rome, Manchester United is big favourite to qualify for semifinals. Roma missed their chance at Olimpico, but after recent injuries in United defensive line they are not without chances. Still, it is hard to imagine that United can lose at Old Trafford by 2 goals margin even without Ferdinand and Vidic.
Crucial month for United
Only 6 weeks before the final whistle, United is leading the Premier league table and have excellent result before second leg against Roma. But, even everything looks bright, Ferguson is in problems as his 2 centre-backs are injured and without them United defense will hardly looks as solid as during the whole season. Ferdinand and Vidic are probably the best defensive pair in the Europe at the moment, but for the second year in the row, Ferguson will be without them for the crucial matches in the campaign. Their replacements will be Pique and Brown, and we will have to wait and see if that defensive pair will be able to produce their best. Pique is talented youngster, but he is without experience, while Brown will have to be the leader of the defense which is not the role he is used with.
With problems in defense, Ferguson could opt for more attacking approach with Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo in the team. Manchester is extremely dangerous at Old Trafford and their advantage will be the fact that Roma will have to attack trying to score an early goal and put more pressure on home team. With that attitude, Roma defenders will have to open much more space that they should against United attacking line. Carrick could be the key man. United midfielder is in the form and he is well known as great passer who is capable to create opportunities for his colleagues with long balls behind the back line.
Roma without Totti again
Roma will be without their captain for the second leg as well. Totti has been outstanding in the Champions League this season and no doubt he will be heavily missed. With 2 goals down, Spalleti does not have too much space for tactical games. He will have to attack, hoping to score an early goal that could change the game and put more pressure on United defense.
On the other hand, Roma could be in big problems if they open too much space for Ronaldo and Rooney. Both of them are capable to use any space given, and to make it even worse, both of them are in excellent form. It will be interesting to see what solution will Spalleti try to find against those two, attacking at the same time.
Betting verdict
This is 6^th time to see those two rivals meet each other in last 12 months. United had been better till now and we should never forget the famous 7:1 win at Old Trafford last year. Roma players will certainly think about that defeat at the moment when they step up to the Theatre of Dreams, hoping that night like that won’t repeat. Without Rio and Vida, United will have problems, but with their attacking power, they should be able to score once or twice at least against Roma. On the other hand, with 2 goals down and 7:1 defeat in their heads it is hard to expect that Roma will be able to make a big surprise. It is hard to predict the winner, but we do not doubt that we will see lot of goals at Old Trafford on the Wednesday night. United defense do not have many games together and Roma will probably score, while on the other hand, it is hard to imagine that United won’t score one or two goals at home.
Our tip: Bet 5 on Over 2.5
Odds 2 at
Bookmaker: Gamebookers
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