Prediction: Roma vs Juventus

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Dachbet

In what is a heavyweight Serie A showdown on Sunday night, Roma will welcome Juventus to the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma

Starting with the hosts, opening their Europa League semi-final adventure with a 2-0 loss at home against newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen in midweek, Roma will be seeking an immediate response here. However, sat in the driving seat to punch a Champions League return this season, the Wolves have largely impressed since they welcomed Daniele De Rossi back to Rome earlier in the year. Last seen in Serie A action snatching a late 2-2 draw away at now-former champions Napoli, the former SPAL boss has seen his squad suffer just a single defeat from any of their last 12 showdowns against top-flight opposition. Extending on their Europa League adventure last month as they secured a famous 3-1 aggregate victory against AC Milan, Roma will be looking to collect another major scalp here. Claiming a 1-0 win when they welcomed their historic rivals to the Stadio Olimpico last season, De Rossi’s men will be desperate for a repeat performance on Sunday night.

Team News

While Turkey international Zeki Celik might have missed out in Europa League semi-final action earlier in the week after serving a suspension, the former Lille defender will return to De Rossi’s squad here. Ahead of Sunday’s heavyweight showdown at the Stadio Olimpico, Roma have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh concerns to worry about.

Notching just a single strike across any competition since returning from March’s international break, Romelu Lukaku could be handed a rest here. Finding the net against Napoli last weekend and recently returning from a long-term knee injury, England international Tammy Abraham could make a first start of the season.

Juventus

As for the visitors, although Juventus might have found themselves at the heart of a stunning purple patch on either side of opening the New Year, the Old Lady have come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Eventually forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate at home against historic rivals AC Milan last weekend, Massimiliano Allegri’s men do have the feel of a squad seeking a crucial boost. Crashing out of the Copa Italia last month following a 2-1 loss against Lazio, Sunday’s guests have failed to win any of their previous four domestic appearances across all competitions. Likewise, Juventus have remarkably registered just a single win from any of their last eight Serie A outings – a rut that stems back to February 25th. With increasing scrutiny over Allegri’s future in Turin, the Old Lady have continued to gain a reputation for their issues on the road. Failing to win any of their previous seven straight showdowns away from the Allianz, Juve could face another stern examination here.

Team News

While former Everton striker Moise Kean might have returned from a knee injury against AC Milan last weekend, the Italy international will settle for another spot on the bench here. After shockingly being named among Juventus’ substitutes in Turin last week, 26-year-old Federico Chiesa should be handed a full recall and partner Dusan Vlahovic in the final third.

With speculation surrounding a potential big-money Premier League switch this summer, Brazilian international star Bremer will play a leading role at the heart of Juve’s defence. Despite gaining plenty of plaudits in what has been a breakout campaign, 18-year-old Kenan Yildiz could be handed a rest on Sunday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Roma and Juventus met for their reverse Serie A showdown on December 30th, the Old Lady claimed a 1-0 victory in Turin.
• However, Juventus have collected just a single victory from any of their previous eight Serie A appearances.
• Likewise, Sunday’s guests have also failed to register a single win from any of their previous seven consecutive showdowns away from the Allianz.
• Roma have lost back-to-back appearances at the Stadio Olimpico for the first time this season.
• Five of the last six meetings between Roma and Juventus have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Although we might have a heavyweight showdown on the cards from the Stadio Olimpico this weekend, don’t be surprised to see chances come at a premium here. With Roma opening their Europa League semi-final adventure with a 2-0 loss at home against Bayer Leverkusen a few days ago, Juventus have continued to show their own respective issues in the final third. It should be noted, with five of the previous six showdowns between Sunday’s opponents finish with under 2.5 goals, we are expected a similar outcome in Rome.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Dachbet