Champions League Group E: Barcelona to better Rudi’s Roma
Published:
Matt Haynes | November 23, 2015
Barcelona v Roma
- Champions League Group E
- Tuesday, November 24th
- Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
- Nou Camp, Barcelona
- Live on BT Sport Extra 2
Top spot beckons for Barca
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique welcomes former club Roma to the Nou Camp, though there will be nothing accommodating about the way he marshals his side against the Italian outfit.
The Catalan club are heavily odds-on at 2/7 with Coral to beat their counterparts and although the Romans will offer plenty of fight, it is likely to be Barca who mark their territory.
Having swept away Real Madrid 4-0 at the Bernabeu last time out in El Clasico, the hosts will be more than confident of victory and Luis Suarez who was at the double against Los Blancos is 3/1 to open the scoring, which he also did in the thrashing. Meanwhile, the Uruguayan also broke the deadlock in the reverse as Barca recorded a 1-1 draw.
Andres Iniesta, who was outstanding during the match, assisting Neymar’s goal, while making one for himself, can have the same effect against Roma and is on offer at 2/1 to net anytime. The Brazilian is 5/2 to strike the opener.
Enrique could start Lionel Messi, who returned from an injury lay-off in the capital to show some good touches and is 9/4 to break the deadlock.
Enrique expecting “difficult match”
Despite Barca’s brilliant form lately, their coach is still anticipating a stern challenge: “We see this match as an opportunity to finish first in the group. I believe we have played better [than on Saturday] although 4-0 against Real Madrid attracts more attention,” he revealed.
“I can’t compare it to the 6-2 victory [at the Santiago Bernabeu in May 2009]. I expect a difficult match, because they need to get a result, so the game will be very open. It is good to see [Lionel] Messi back on the pitch – we all enjoy watching him train and play.”
Roma run offers Italian’s hope
Rudi Garcia’s side are undefeated in three matches, including a 3-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen, who are also in action against BATE Borisov, last time out in the Champions League.
Edin Dzeko has scored in each of Roma’s last three matches and is available at an excellent 11/4 anytime price to score, while Miralem Pjanic has two goals in three and is well priced at 7/1 in the same market.
It was versatile player Alessandro Florenzi who dispatched in Rome and if he starts, his odds of 6/1 to score at any point could carry good value.
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