Chelsea VS Roma Match Prediction

Two previous meeting have taken place between Roma and Chelsea.  Those were in the 2008 group stages.  Chelsea won 1-0 at home, before Roma won 3-1 back in Italy.      

%HEAD-TO-HEAD-STATS-BANNER%

Chelsea vs Roma Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

Chelsea is at 8/13 to win, a draw is at 11/4, and a Roma win is at 19/4.

Chelsea have been installed as big favorites here by the bookmakers, and we have to agree with this assessment.  Who can every forget the drubbing that Roma took in Manchester that time some years ago, and they also did not enjoy their trip to London the last time they made the trek.

Chelsea aren't looking so hot in England at the moment as they were last season, and the league title may be a lost cause at this stage of the season with so much room to make up.  A lack of depth is starting to show, but Antonio Conte- who isn't likely to stick around much longer anyway- can still out-tactic coaches and get the Blues across the line in Europe.  Just ask Diego Simeone, the Atletico manager, that Conte bested.

Conte's counterpart will be a younger manager in Di Francesco, someone in the middle of his first big job.  So far, he's done well but when it comes to the big games he has been a flop.  At home to Napoli, they showed this once again, so it's a real fool's error to back Roma away from home in London against a top notch Chelsea side in this match.  One reason why they have been a little weaker this term is the loss of Antonio Rudiger, a defender, to their opponents for this very match.  

Chelsea to win by two is at 15/4.

Chelsea vs Roma Prediction

The Blues get the job done and make it nine points from nine in the group.

Correct Score Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Roma

Team News

Antonio Conte is going to be without center midfielder N'Golo Kante for a little while, so that is going to hurt them very badly.  He's expected to be able to use striker Alvaro Morata after he missed Saturday's match, however.  Wing back Victor Moses had to leave the action early Saturday, so he's set to miss out.  Center midfielder Danny Drinkwater is back in training, but does not appear fit enough to play yet.     

Key Man

Whether it's a good idea or not, we just don't see Alvaro Morata sitting on the bench for this match.  The Spaniard has been exceptional so far this season for the Blues, and there is a massive difference when he's on the field and when he is not.  They will not want to drop a third straight match, so they will feel the risk is worth it in order to get the seven goal man into the lineup for this match.  

Team Form

Chelsea have two losses and three wins in their last five matches:

2-1 loss at Crystal Palace
0-1 home loss vs Manchester City
1-2 win at Atletico Madrid (UCL)
0-4 away win at Stoke City
5-1 home win vs Nottingham Forest (EFL Cup)

Chelsea Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 3-4-3

Team News

Eusebio Di Francesco is dealing with a string of injury worries at the moment.  Important players like center back Konstantinos Manolas, center midfielder Kevin Strootman, and winger Stephan El Shaarawy are dealing with issues.  Along with them are left back Emerson and forwards Patrik Schick and Gregoire Defrel as well.  

Key Man

Few goalkeepers in Europe have shown as much form as that of Roma's Alisson this season.  Roma aren't always known for a great defence, but they have been better than many know due to his outstanding play in net.  His saves against Atletico on match day one earned them a great draw, and they could do with another similar performance from him at Stamford Bridge.  It says a lot that he has held onto the #1 jersey at Brazil over Ederson, who just had a clean sheet against this very Chelsea team.

Team Form

Roma have a loss and four wins in their last five matches:

0-1 home loss vs Napoli
0-2 win at AC Milan
1-2 win at Qarabag (UCL)
3-1 home win vs Udinese
0-4 win at Benevento

Roma Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-2-3-1

Chelsea come into this match on the back of a real high after defeating Atletico Madrid at the death in their last Champions League excursion. That win now gives them some breathing room, but a loss to Roma would see it all evaporate. Thankfully for them, they are at home in this tie and should have the upper hand as a result. Roma don't usually travel well, especially to England, and this is a good chance for Chelsea to solidify their spot as group leaders.

These teams split their matches in the 2008 group stage, their only two meetings to date.