AS Roma vs. Juventus Prediction – Italy Serie A Match Preview – 3 PM EST Monday March 2, 2015 Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
By Jason Green, Soccer Handicapper, Predictem.com
Match Odds: AS Roma 3.30 / Juventus 2.25 / Draw 3.30
Moneyline: AS Roma +230 / Juventus-125 / Draw +230
Over/Under: 2.5 goals.
There is still quite a bit of soccer to play in Italy Serie A, but it is pretty safe to assume that AS Roma needs this win to have any shot at the Scudetto. They are in 2nd place in the league table 9 points behind Juve.
Both teams are unbeaten in their last 5 league matches and each is coming off a big win in their last match. Roma is coming off a 2-1 win in the Europa league and Juventus is coming off a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Juve is the big betting favorite to win the Scudetto yet again and they have not lost since an Italy Super Cup match back at the end of last season.
AS Roma has not been able to gain ground on Juve, as they have played to 4 draws in their last 5 league matches. Their offense has been less than dynamic this season and while their defense has been solid they will be looking to topple a Juventus squad that has scored the most goals in the league and conceded the fewest.
Juve has only suffered 1 loss in league play and AS Roma only has 2 losses. However Roma has 9 draws while Juve only has 6.
Since their 0-0 draw facing Udine Juventus has scored 9 goals in their last 4 matches.
Juve is a master in the midfield, but playmaker Andrea Pirlo is out for this match with an injury and that is big. AS Roma is out-matches in the middle of the pitch by Juve and with Pirlo out the Juve offense is not at 100% of their usual attacking style.
Carlos Tevez has enjoyed a rebirth in Juve and he leads the squad with 14 goals. The AS Roma defense needs to keep him in check and if they can do that, which is a tall task, they may be in good shape. Arturo Vidal, Paul Pogba, and lvaro Morata all have 6 goals apiece for Juve, as they have the offense, but Tavez is their key player up front.
AS Roma’s offense has been decent this season and they have scored the 4th most goals in Serie A play led by Adem Ljajic (8 goals), Francesco Totti (5 goals), and Mattia Destro (5 goals).
This match is on Monday, which has to be a welcome surprise for AS Roma, as they played a tough Europa League match in Turkey on Thursday night.
AS Roma has to have some confidence facing a Juve squad that has injury issues in the midfield and has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 3 matches.
The Roma offense did score 2 goals in their last match, but that was the first time they scored multiple goals in their last 4 matches. This match will be won and lost in the middle of the field and it is key that Roma plays solid defense, as the higher scoring the match is the more Juve has the advantage.
AS Roma Recent Form
2/8/2015 Cagliari 1 Roma 2 (Serie A)
2/15/2015 Roma 0 Parma 0 (Serie A)
2/19/2015 Roma 1 Feyenoord (Europa League)
2/22/2015 Hellas Verona 1 Roma 1 (Serie A)
2/26/2015 Feyenoord 1 Roma 2 (Europa League)
Juventus Recent Form
2/1/2015 Udinese 0 Juventus 0 (Serie A)
2/7/2015 Juventus 3 Milan (Serie A)
2/15/2015 Cesena 2 Juventus 2 (Serie A)
2/20/2015 2 Atalanta 1 (Serie A)
2/24/2015 Juventus 2 Borussia Dortmund 1 (Champions League)
Jason’s Prediction to Win: You know I really want to go with AS Roma in this match at home, but I simply cannot do so. They are a legit squad that has some great players, but Juve is a top-notch squad that should easily win the Scudetto this season and may challenge for the Champions League crown. I see a defensive match, but Juve will come out on top winning 1-0 in the Italian capital this Monday night.
