Roma vs Juventus Prediction & Betting Tips - Serie A

Prediction published on 09/01/2020, 14:27  by James | Modified on 09/01/2020 at 15:27 in Serie A Prediction

Perennial Serie A holders Juventus host AS Roma this Sunday in one of the more glamorous fixtures of the European weekend. Juventus are enduring a tighter title race than they are used to and they are currently second in the table, kept off the top of the table by Inter Milan and their superior goal difference. Roma aren't really involved in the championship race this season but they're not too much further down the table. Sitting fourth, they have a Champions League place in their grasp - their goal being a return to the competition - but would like breathing room in that oh-so-desired spot. Atalanta lead the chasing pack in fifth, only a point behind.

Roma come into this match on the back of what was only their third defeat of the Serie A season, a 2-0 loss to Torino last weekend. It featured a mistake by Chris Smalling, the on-loan Man United defender giving away a penalty with a bizarre handball. Although he was subjected to mockery by rival fans, his Smaldini nickname isn't entirely ironic. Smalling has been a key part of a Roma defence that has propelled their UCL charge. Facing Cristiano Ronaldo is never easy for any defender, especially after the forward has scored a hat-trick in his previous match. That's the case for Smalling at the Stadio Olimpico. Ronaldo bagged his first Juventus treble in the 4-0 victory over Cagliari and will be hungry for more goals. Roma won't be as accommodating. Ronaldo couldn't score in this fixture last season and we see history repeating itself in what has historically been a low-scoring encounter.