Roma Look to Build on Good Start in Florence

LEAGUE: Italian Serie A
GAME: Fiorentina vs Roma
LOCATION: Stadio Artemio Franchi
DATE: Sunday 18/9
TIME: 20:45

Having had their match postponed last weekend, due to bad weather conditions in Genoa, Fiorentina welcome Roma in what will be their third Serie A match of the season.

Fiorentina have picked up 3 points from their opening two matches, having defeated Chievo Verona 1-0 at home, thanks to a goal from Carlos Sanchez. Their first match of the season was away at Juventus, a game which Paulo Sousa’s team lost 2-1, despite putting in a decent performance. Not many teams are going to leave the Juventus Stadium with points this season, so with that match out of the way, Fiorentina will look to make it 6 points from 9 with a win over Roma.

Last weekend, Roma’s match at home to Sampdoria was also halted due to adverse weather conditions. However, this match resumed and Roma went on to win it 3-2, thanks to a late penalty by the legendary Francesco Totti, who continues to deliver the goods at the Stadio Olimpico. Roma are undefeated in Serie A this season, having picked up 7 points from a possible 9 and will look to keep the pressure on Juventus at the top of Serie A.

In the previous 48 matches between the teams, Roma have really dominated proceedings, with 28 wins to Fiorentina’s 8. There have also been 12 draws.

Tips

We have looked closely at the following aspects of this match, which offer good betting value:

• Winner
• Result and Over/Under 2.5 Goals
• Anytime Goalscorer

The Spoils Shared

With Fiorentina’s match cancelled last weekend, they return to the Artemio Franchi having played one match less than opponents Roma but with a good home record, carried over from last season. The club from the capital have started well in Serie A, with the only dropped points coming at Calgari in a 2-2 draw. This has the makings of another tough away match and although Fiorentina have struggled to defeat Roma in Serie A in recent years, they could pick up a point from this encounter, against a team undefeated in their last 9 league games away from home.

Game Tip: Draw is 3.4 at Bet365

A Low Scoring Draw

Roma have been involved in matches which have seen goals this season but come up against a Fiorentina team, who don’t tend to conceded more than 1 goal at home to the opposition. Only twice in the last 15 home matches, have Fiorentina conceded more than 1 goal to the opposition and they also kept a clean sheet in their only home match to date, this season. Roma may make the breakthrough but will struggle to get more than a single goal.

Game Tip: Draw and Under 2.5 Goals is 5 at Bet365

Salah to Shine

After a difficult spell at Chelsea, Mohamed Salah has found his best form again playing for Roma. The Egyptian international scored 14 goals last season and has already found the back of the net twice in this campaign, scoring in the matches against Udinese and Sampdoria. Salah is always a threat on the counter-attack, thanks to his pace and dribbling and is sure to have at least one good chance to score in this match.

Game Tip: Mohamed Salah to Score Anytime is 3.3 at Ladbrokes