Chievo vs Roma Predictions

Roma were unable to get much traction in the top four race last weekend, but can they bounce back at bottom side Chievo? The visitors had lost 7-1 ahead of last weekend’s Champions League showdown with fourth-placed AC Milan. On top of that, they had also lost key players in midfield, and they still managed to secure a 1-1 draw to stay in the hunt. Given that they are playing early this weekend against the worst side in the division, they should be about to leap into the Champions League spots.

Chievo look destined for Serie B, despite their draw with Empoli last weekend. They pulled off another draw, but they’re not doing enough to pick up points and move clear of the drop zone. They remain the only side in the league with a single figure points tally, something we aren’t expecting to change this weekend. With just one win and 12 defeats from their 22 league matches this season, the Gialloblu clearly aren’t cutting it at the top level.

Roma come here with one eye on their clash with Porto in the Champions League next week. While they want to secure a place in Europe’s premier competition next season, they will obviously be distracted by a last 16 tie which is potentially winnable for the Giallorossi. Roma will be looking to cruise past the 20th placed side in Serie A, so expect them to make a few changes to their side ahead of this clash. However, that isn’t entirely reassuring, given their previous meeting.

Back in September, Roma rested players for their first Champions League game of the season – which was a 3-0 defeat at Real Madrid. Days before, they took a step back against Chievo, blowing a 2-0 lead to drop points to the struggling outfit. That’s a part of the visitors’ big issue this season – their defence. Roma have conceded 13 goals more than they did in the first 22 league games last season. Their attack is great, and it should continue to be against a Chievo side who have shipped 44 goals in 22 league games.

On the bright side for the hosts, Chievo have found the net in each of their last five league home games. They haven’t just got a streak running, they’ve managed to trouble some top teams. All of the sides in the top nine that have travelled to this ground have conceded. Chievo started the season by putting two past Juve, while their last home game was a 4-3 loss to Fiorentina. With Roma keeping a clean sheet in 18% of their league games and scoring in 82%, we think both teams to score is the best bet on this clash.