Roma vs CSKA Moscow Predictions

Roma head into their Champions League clash on Tuesday night under pressure, with CSKA making an early surge for a place in the last 16. The Russian side are enjoying an unbeaten campaign so far, the only side in the group to do so. They were able to land a huge 1-0 win over Real Madrid in their last group game, and that victory has put them top of the pile. They are hoping to build on their country’s strong showing at the World Cup this summer, and knock out a giant of European football. Can they continue to surprise with a win in Rome?

The hosts have to turn things around, following a slip-up in their league game at the weekend. The Giallorossi were beaten 2-0 at home by SPAL, after making changes to their side with an eye on this game. They have slipped out of the top six as a result, and they’ve got work to do in order to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Before that, they need to refocus on this game, and return their starting 11 to full strength. Stars like Kostas Manolas will return, giving them the strength in defence that they’ve shown in recent European ties at the Olimpico.

The visitors followed up that win over Real by losing to city rivals Lokomotiv in the league, and then they crashed out of the cup days later. They face a huge trip to Rome this week, and they have to be wary about these big away ties. Last season they were able to face the likes of Basel and Benfica on the road, and those trips were much more straightforward than meeting Roma and Real.

Both sides know there’s a lot riding on this clash. Whoever edges this double header over their next two match-days will be a front-runner to join Real in the next round. It helps that the Serie A side have a terrific home record in Europe, which they should add to with their side back up to strength. Since the start of last season, only Liverpool have scored away to Roma in the Champions League, and they’ve won six on the bounce. With that in mind, we expect them to hold off the visitors, and grind out a win. A home win to nil is our tip, along with a 2-0 scoreline.

The hosts’ hopes of edging this game are boosted by the form of Edin Dzeko, who has six goals in five games for club and country. The forward scored a hat-trick in their last Champions League game – the Bosnian has been directly involved in 13 goals in his last 13 Champions League appearances. In addition, he’s scored in all but one of their last seven games in the competition, so we’re backing him to find the net.