[Mario]

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
11/5/2014

Bayern Munchen vs AS Roma

Home - Bayern Munchen
Last away matches - W-D-W-W-W-D

Bayern Munich take on AS Roma at Allianz-Arena and Champions League - Group Stage. This is the 4th round in Group E. The hosts are at the top with three wins and with a goal difference of 9:1 after three rounds. Otherwise, this is a very strange group with Manchester City and CSKA Moscow. Nevertheless, these hosts are massive and they are simply unbeatable. Having said that they are unbeaten in all competitions and are looking good for qualification from Group E, sitting top with 9 points after the third match day. With Pep Guardiola tweaking his system, key players struggling for match fitness and a questionable defense, Bayern have their problems. If you look at the table though, those problems disappear; they are already four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and five points clear the top of their Champions League. In the last game, they picked up a win against Borussia Dortmund 2-1 at home. Anyway, for this match Bayern are almost back to full strength, the returns of Franck Ribery and Mario Gotze will be most pleasing for Guardiola, and with Arjen Robben showing no signs of losing his attacking spark on the right wing the Spanish boss is almost spoiled for choice.

Away - AS Roma
Last away matches - L-D-L-D-W-W

On the other hand, guests are currently on 2nd place in Serie A with a total goal difference of 16: 6 and 3 points less than Juventus. In the last game, they were defeated 2-0 against Napoli. Anyway, after the terrible defeat against Bayern in those last three games they've picked up a 2-0 win against Cesena, 1 draw against Sampdoria 0-0 and 1 defeat against Napoli. Otherwise, Roma have impressed on their return to Europe's elite club competition, dismissing Group E whipping boys CSKA Moscow 5-1 in the first match day before leaving the Etihad with a very impressive point against AngleÅ¡čina champions Manchester City. However, after the unrealistic results against Bayern they started to fall into shape. Of course, no one else can expect a similar result, and this will be a match with a lot more optimism for guests. Otherwise, a lot of pressure will fall on Totti to lead the line and provide the goal threat. Destro and Totti have a good understanding and the midfield combination play of Pjanic will provide them with the ball; expect them to test the Bayern backline more effectively than either City or CSKA in previous games. In any case, they will not be able to count on Maicon (Knee injury), Gianluca Curci (Elbow injury), and Davide Astori (Thigh injury).

Asian Handicap
Home - (-1.50)
Away - (+1.50)
Pick - Bayern Munchen (-1.50)
Odds - 1.66
Stakes - 8/10