After a three-week break Champions League football returns on Tuesday night with one of the more mouth-watering clashes between Italian giants Roma and current European champions Real Madrid.
Both Roma and Real Madrid sit level on points in Group G with three wins each and just the single defeat apiece, though Los Blancos have a superior goal difference and thus top the group.
Most would have predicted that these two sides would clinch qualification to the knockout rounds ahead of both CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen, which is looking all but certain at present – a win would confirm that scenario for either side.
Domestically, Real have been in a state of turmoil for the vast majority of the campaign, sitting sixth in La Liga, with summer appointment Julen Lopetegui already shown the exit door following a stagnant start to his tenure.
Roma themselves have also endured a tentative start to the season, with Eusebio Di Francesco’s men so far failing to replicate their fine form from last campaign, currently sitting seventh in Serie A after 13 matches.
As mentioned, a win for either side would confirm qualification to the Round of 16 and help alleviate any current frustrations, though, should CSKA Moscow fail to win in their match against Viktoria Plzen then both would progress regardless of the outcome in Italy.
Read on for Roma vs Real Madrid live stream options, team news, predicted XIs, stats, and TV channel info.
When is Roma vs Real Madrid?
Competition: UEFA Champions League
Venue: Stadio Olimpico
Date: Tuesday 27th November
Kick-off: 8:00 PM GMT
Match Preview
Both sides will lock horns on Tuesday night following league defeats over the weekend; Real capitulated against Eibar in a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the Municipal de Ipurua, while Roma lost 1-0 to Serie A strugglers Udinese.
Since Lopetegui’s departure, club great Santiago Solari has been given the task of steadying the ship, taking charge of first-team action towards the end of last month.
Progress had been rapid under the Argentine coach, with the former Castilla manager winning his opening four matches in emphatic fashion, as well as overseeing a Madrid side who scored 15 goals and conceded just twice.
However, that bright start took a turn for the worst over the weekend as the European Champions lost 3-0 to mid-table Eibar – a first La Liga victory against Real for the Basque club.
Meanwhile Roma will be looking to bounce back from defeat against Udinese when they host Solari’s side on Tuesday, and the Italian club will be hoping to fare much better than in their previous encounter with Real.
In the reverse fixture at the Bernabeu, Los Blancos ran riot with a 3-0 victory against last season’s Champions League semi-finalist, courtesy of goals from Gareth Bale, Isco and summer recruit Mariano.
Since then I Giallorossi have won three Champions League matches and will be looking to exact revenge at the Stadio Olimpico; both sides will be eager to place first in Group G and three points here should be enough for either club.
Where can I watch live?
Roma vs Real Madrid can be viewed by UK residents on BT Sport ESPN HD, channel 423 on Sky, and channel 530 for Virgin Media users. BT Sport subscribers can also watch the game online at sport.bt.com and via their BT Sport app.
What’s going wrong at Real Madrid?
Los Blancos have lost five of their opening 13 matches, while scoring just 20 goals – 15 fewer than rivals Barcelona – and while they only sit five points off the summit of La Liga, the club have often looked bereft of any attacking intensity this season.
One reason for this slow start has unequivocally been the departure of former talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, who had previously scored plus 30 goals during the nine seasons he plied his trade in the Spanish capital.
Trying to find a player who has the capacity of replicating that goalscoring form is no easy task, Karim Benzema has only managed 30 plus goals in just two seasons during his career, while Gareth Bale’s best return came during his maiden campaign (22 goals).
Mariano was signed to rival Benzema for the No 9 berth, but the former Dominican Republic international has so far found the back of the net just once, and is yet to score in La Liga. There has been some improvement in front of goal for Benzema, who has already equalled his league tally from last season, but the lack of a potent attacking threat in the mould of Ronaldo is proving seriously harmful for the club.
Can Roma reach heights from last season?
Roma will be hoping to go one better this season and reach the Champions League final having played out a scintillating 7-6 semi-final defeat to Liverpool last term, with Eusebio Di Francesco’s side winning 4-2 in the second leg.
So far, the club have not quite looked the same attacking force as last season following the departure of midfield engine Radja Nainggolan to Serie A rivals Inter Milan, but they have shown signs of rediscovering their previous form, notably the 4-1 win over Sampdoria a fortnight ago.
There were wholesale changes made over the summer with the club bringing in no fewer than 13 players, so given more time for Di Francesco to work with his new players, then he can create a more cohesive unit capable of competing in the latter stages of the competition.
Can Edin Dzeko end his barren run?
Dzeko found himself on the bench for the second consecutive match over the weekend with Patrik Schick taking the central role up front, so are we perhaps starting to see the decline of Dzeko, who has just two league goals this season?
At 32, the Bosnian is certainly entering his twilight years, but until recently he had shown no signs of slowing down; if anything the former Man City striker has been playing the best football of his career across the previous two seasons.
Dzeko is currently on a five-match run without scoring, and while that statistic is by no means a significant one, for a striker of Dzeko’s capabilities that will be of concern to the Giallorossi faithful. With that said, Dzeko has five goals in Europe – albeit it against CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen – and should pick his form back up.
Head-to-head
There have been 11 meetings between these two sides, with Real Madrid winning seven of the encounters, while Roma have triumphed on just three occasions.
Only one draw has occurred in this fixture, coming during a Champions League group match in 2001; Francesco Totti and Luis Figo were the scorers on that day, while a certain Santiago Solari made an appearance in the second half.
Los Blancos have won the previous three matches.
Real Madrid wins: 7 Draws: 1 Roma wins: 3
Team news
Nacho, Casemiro and Reguilon have ramped up their recovery programmes, with the latter training alongside the first team squad on Sunday, though all three are expected to remain absent for the match on Tuesday.
Marcelo and Raphael Varane missed the victory against Celta Vigo a fortnight ago but both started against Eibar over the weekend and will be available for selection, while Alvaro Odriozola was forced off through injury on Saturday and will likely miss the match.
Roma are currently in the midst of an injury crisis with Daniele De Rossi, Konstantinos Manolas, Diego Perotti, Rick Karsdorp, and Javier Pastore all sidelined.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Ceballos, Modric; Bale, Asensio; Benzema.
Predicted Roma XI: Mirante; Santon, Fazio, Juan, Kolarov; Nzonzi, Cristante, El Shaarawy, Pellegrini, Kluivert; Dzeko.
Squawka Prediction
Real Madrid are proving extremely volatile this season but still boast an abundance of world class quality, and so should they put the Eibar match well and truly behind them, they will likely get a result in Rome, but I Giallorossi are a stubborn side and will not submit easily. 1-1.
Predictions & Betting Tips
Get the BetBull sign-up offer HERE – Ts&Cs apply. +18 only. BeGambleAware.org
1. Both teams to score @ 2/5
Both Real Madrid and Roma have netted double digits in the Champions League this season, but both have also proven slightly fragile at the back so expect goals in this fixture.
Los Blancos proved in September that they still have the capacity to score big against elite level opposition despite their poor start to the campaign, and Roma have not kept a clean sheet in five matches, so its unlikely this match will witness a goalless stalemate.
Key Stat: Only Group G contains two teams who have netted double digits (Real Madrid and Roma).
Tip: Both teams to score @ 2/5 with BetBull – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (25/11/2018, 20:30)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
2. Edin Dzeko to score anytime @ 11/10
As mentioned Dzeko has started on the bench in the previous two matches, but the Bosnian is exactly the type of player Di Francesco will be looking to call on for a match of this magnitude.
The seasoned striker has already netted five goals in three Champions League matches and will be eager to end his current five-match goal drought; he has netted eight European goals the previous two seasons and will be a key player in this fixture whether that is from the off or from the bench.
Key Stat: Edin Dzeko has netted five goals in three Champions League matches this season
Tip: Edin Dzeko to score anytime @ 11/10 with BetBull – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (25/11/2018, 20:30)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
3. Over 2.5 goals @ 40/85
This encounter has all the hallmarks of a high scoring match, Di Francesco’s men proved last season in the Champions League just how expansive their approach is, and although it ultimately backfired at Anfield in the semi-final, Roma have remained true to their tactical system.
It goes without saying just how much of an attacking threat Real pose such is the quality at Solari’s disposal, and with both sides vying for a top spot in Group G, this could prove a lively affair.
Key Stat: There are only three clubs who have outscored Roma and Real Madrid in the Champions League this season.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 40/85 with BetBull – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (25/11/2018, 20:30)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
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