AS Roma desperately need a win over the team that has won eight straight Scudettos this Sunday. Roma are tied with AC Milan for fifth in the Serie A standings, and both clubs need to break into the top four to make the Champions League next season. They are three points behind fourth place Atalanta and four points behind Inter Milan with three games left in the campaign, so they can’t afford to drop points. Roma know that beating Juventus is a difficult ask, but fortunately the Italian juggernauts have nothing to play for but pride.
Don't miss the Italian Serie A action from the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 11, 2019. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN.
Serie A Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
AS Roma +146
Juventus +180
Draw +249
Over/Under 2.5 and 3
Odds Analysis
It’s absurd to say that a team so far in front in its domestic league has had a down season, but that’s the case for Juventus. Winning the league title is second nature at this point, and the club had won four straight Coppa Italias headed into this season too. This season, Juventus will have to be content with just the Serie A title, as they were shocked by Ajax in the Champions League Quarterfinals and thumped by Atalanta in the Champions League Quarterfinals. They have seemingly shut it down for the season and are 1-2-1 in their last four league games.
Roma have secured a result in six straight matches, but a downturn in March could end up proving costly. On either side of the international break, Roma suffered losses to SPAL and Napoli, putting the club in a whole. They have three wins and three draws since that point, but they have been unable to catch Atalanta or either Milan club. Last week, the club looked set to grab a 1-0 road win against Genoa, but a Cristian Romero extra time goal forced them to grit their teeth after a draw.
Mario Mandzukic scored the lone goal in a 1-0 Juventus win over Roma back in Turin in December. In that match, the possession was relatively even, but Juventus outshot Roma 20 to 7.
Injury Report
Juventus lost Sami Khedira for the season last month, and The Old Lady won’t have Federico Bernardeschi for this match because of yellow card accumulation. Mario Mandzukic, Alex Sandro, Matia Perin, and Mehdi Benatia are questionable, while Paulo Dybala is probable.
Diego Perotti, Daniele De Rossi, and Davide Santon are all expected to miss this match, but Roma have not ruled any of those three out for the remainder of the year. William Bianda is questionable to play, while Lorenzo Valeau is probable.
Player to Watch
Love him or hate him, Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players the game has ever seen, and you have to admire his work ethic. While detractors might say that the only reason he is still playing is because he is within striking distance of the Golden Boot, you have to give him credit for not shutting it down or mailing it in like other superstars would in this situation. Ronaldo netted in each of Juventus’ last two games, scoring the lone goal for his team in a pair of 1-1 draws.
Serie A Prop Bet – AS Roma 2, Juventus 2 +900
Roma have the worst back line of any major club in Italy. They have allowed 47 goals, and that has mitigated a very good season from Stephan El Shaarawy, Aleksander Kolarov, and Edin Dzeko. They will get goals against a Juventus back line that isn’t fully locked in, but Ronaldo will net at least one in response.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Juventus will help determine the Champions League spots in Italy over the final three weeks. They face Roma this week and Atalanta next week, and their play will help determine which teams finish top four and which are destined for the Europa League. They won’t be their best here, but I think they can earn a result despite having nothing of consequence at stake.
Italian Serie A Odds: AS Roma 2, Juventus 2
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