Roma and Man City meet again in International Champions Cup

Serie A giants Roma (a tempting 2/1 to triumph with Coral) and Premier League big-guns Manchester City (evens) clash in the International Champions Cup, as both sides continue their pre-season preparations.

The stakes may not be as high in this Australian encounter as they were when these two teams tussled in the Champions League group stages last campaign, as the Sky Blues squeezed into the knock-out rounds at the Giallorossi’s expense, but it should still be an intriguing encounter.

City previously snatched a 2-0 victory at the Stadio Olimpico, a scoreline they are 13/2 to repeat when they meet in Melbourne, though their Eternal City opponents had previously held them to a draw at the Etihad and can be backed at 5/2 to split the spoils once again.

Samir Nasri (an excellent 11/4 in the anytime market) was on the scoresheet that famous night in Rome and could cause chaos for the Italian outfit again. The French flank threat, who has already impressed on City’s tour with a well struck volley against Melbourne City, has much to prove following fellow wide playmaker Raheem Sterling’s £49m signing.

Speaking recently, Nasri said of City’s strong competition for places: “I have never been scared of anyone and it is not today that I am going to be scared of anyone. Everyone has to raise their levels. Everyone. It is not about one player, it is about the whole team.”

New arrival Sterling (7/1 to strike first), who has now linked-up with City on tour, will be looking to shine, yet it may be Edin Dzeko who is the centre of attention.

Dangerman Dzeko (5/1 to net last) is currently tipped exit the Etihad and join the Giallorossi, but it is thought that the two clubs are still haggling, with City’s price-tag for the sharpshooter believed to be too high. Perhaps the predator can convince he is worth the fee with a top performance here.

Roma, meanwhile, should be in high spirits following a 7-6 penalty shootout victory over Spanish giants Real Madrid, and still boast evergreen icon Francesco Totti (7/1 to draw first blood), who gave City the runaround in Manchester last term.

Also set to star in attack for the Italian capital club will be usual suspects and promising trio of playmakers Juan Iturbe, Adem Ljajic (2/1 to be on target anytime) and Miralem Pjanic.

Coral’s betting tip: back bullish Roma @ 2/1 to win and cause an upset