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Kick off: Tuesday, 29.09.2015 @20:45
Venue: Borisov Arena
Head to head record
No previous meetings
BATE Borisov vs Roma prediction
BATE are faced with another stern test in their UEFA Champions League campaign as the Belarusian giants are set to host Roma in their Group E encounter. Both teams are turning their attention to Europe after wins in domestic leagues and are keen on making an impression.
BATE hoping to upset Roma
Aleksandr Yermakovich’s troops are entering the Tuesday’s game on the back of two straight wins in their domestic championship at home against Zhodino and at FC Minsk last time out. BATE are once again ready to take on Rudi Garcia who is visiting Borisov two years after his defeat in Champions League when he was in charge of French side Lille. BATE are in good form and their defeat to Leverkuzen in the opening round of elite competition was just their fourth loss in last five games. This will the first ever competitive game between BATE and Roma and home side will be looking to make an impression against their Italian rivals. BATE are cautious entering this game however as they have never beaten any Italian side so far in European competition, while they have also failed to score in six of the total of their eight encounters.
Vitali Rodionov is the only absentee for the home team and Yermakovich will have his full selection to choose from for the Roma encounter.
Garcia’s return
Roma have open their European account with an impressive share of spoils against the reigning European champions Barcelona, but have failed to keep the momentum going in Serie A as they have first drawn against Sassuolo at home and then succumbed to a 2-1 win at Sampdoria. However, Rudi Garcia’s team returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 5-1 win over newly promoted Carpi. The latest victory was a much needed morale boost for Rudi Garcia and his men before the trip to Belarus. Roma manager has been under huge pressure lately and will look to make a statement against the rivals he lost to two years ago in the same competition while sitting on Lille’s bench. His job will not be easy without Edin Dzeko who featured in all of the games since his arrival from Manchester City, but Gervinho is ready to step in and take his place.
In addition to his injured striker, Rudi Garcia will be without the captain Totti who will be out for a month with his thigh injury. Seydou Keita and Wojciech Szczesny are also sidelined due to their thigh and wrist injuries, respectively. Kevin Strootman is a long-term absentee.
BATE Borisov vs Roma betting tip
Hosts opened their Champions League campaign with a disappointing defeat to Bayer Leverkuzen and will be looking to make amends in front of their supporters. On the other hand, Roma are buoyed by their comprehensive win against Carpi last weekend and will be looking to make another step forward in the European competition.
However, it is worth mentioning that, including qualifiers, Roma failed to win their last six matches in the Champions League, and I also don’t expect to see a lot of goals in this encounter. We are in for a tightly contested affair and going for a half-time result would make sense.
Tip: Half-time draw
Odds: 2.10 (11/10) @10Bet
