Roma vs Chievo Predictions

Chievo are currently sat in an unusual position, 20th in the table with minus two points. The club were handed a three point penalty for inflating values of transfers, which was needed to keep their place in Serie A. Given how much they could have lost, a three point penalty seems light on the Flying Donkeys, but they’re still trying to get the ruling overturned. This is the last thing they needed after picking up just a point from their opening three games, with morale now dented ahead of this weekend’s trip to Roma.

The hosts have had a tough time themselves of late, finishing up with a 2-1 loss to AC Milan before the international break. Patrick Cutrone struck a late winner to shock the Giallorossi. Eusebio Di Francesco has had a mixed time with Roma this term, and now they have a visit to Real Madrid on the horizon. Their clash with the European champions needs to be put on the back burner here, as Chievo prepare for a visit to the capital.

The visitors come here following defeats to Fiorentina and Juventus so far, and they’ve now had another setback in their push for survival with their points deduction. their 6-1 hammering by la Viola is possibly the biggest blow, with the Gialloblu being entirely outclassed in that trip. It came after a positive display against Juventus, and it was followed by a 0-0 with Empoli. None of their results so far have really made us confident in their chances of staying up, and visiting another top side is unlikely to boost Chievo’s chances of staying in Serie A.

Roma’s only home game so far was a 3-3 draw with Atalanta, but they should have a more comfortable night at the back this time around. Chievo scored just 0.7 goals per game last term, and they look short up front going in to this game. To make matters worse for the Gialloblu, they had a terrible record at the top sides last season. They lost every visit to the top eight, while over half of the away goals they conceded came against top six opposition.

Roma should punish Chievo’s poor away form, especially after seeing it bleed in to this season following their 6-1 thumping in Florence. The hosts only managed to win two of nine home matches against top half sides, but they won nine of 10 meetings with bottom half sides at the Olimpico, and every one of their clashes with the bottom nine. Chievo lost 4-1 here, having been beaten by a two goal margin or greater in four of five meetings with Roma. With that in mind, we’re going with the hosts on the -1 handicap, which seems like the best value bet here.