Italian Serie A
2008-04-13 - Udinese Calcio vs A.S Roma
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Analysis:Roma enters this match having failed to win two matches in a row in their last five games and even though they won their last match to stay within 4 points of leaders Inter Milan it will be a tough task against Udinese who are unbeaten in their last seven games coming into this match.
The home side Udinese’s good form have paid off as they are now in within striking distance of a Champions League spot but will not be happy that they failed to collect maximum points against Siena last weekend managing only a 1-1 draw. As it stands now they are five points away from Fiorentina who occupied fourth spot and are in with a shout of qualifying for a Champions League spot if they can dislodge Fiorentina in fourth spot. Their coach Pasquale Marino has gone on record to state that they can outclass here so it waits to be seen if Roma can get the win and challenge Inter for the Scudetti at the top of the table.
Interestingly for A.S Roma, their coach Luciano Spalletti was with Udinese the last time they qualified for the Champions League in 2004-05 so he will be returning to the Stadio Friuli with mixed emotions. Spaletti will need to motivate his team after they returned back from Manchester United beaten and knocked out of the Champions League to Manchester United. It waits to be seen how their trip to England would have affected them physically and mentally.
Roma had to call on all their experience to beat Genoa 3-2 last weekend and were somewhat lucky then. Now they can expect Udinese to be giving them a much tougher challenge here no doubt.
When they met earlier in the season at the Stadio Olimpico, Roma won 2-1 and the capital club also won last season beating Udinese 1-0.
Udinese will start this match without the services of Giandomenico Mesto who is suspended and Nigerian midfielder Christian Obodo who is out injured for the rest of the season. They are also missing the likes of Cristian Zapata and Dias Felipe who plays in defence. Goalkeeper Antonio Chimenti and youngster Raffaele De Martino are also out for this match.
But for the visitors Roma they are hoping that Francesco Totti can recover in time from a thigh injury to make this match. Defender Matteo Ferrari is recovering from a knee problem and Ludovic Giuly will face a late fitness test on a muscle fatigue.
Go for Udinese to end Roma’s run and also stay unbeaten for their eight game here.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Draw Match 1-1 or 2-2
BEST BETTING TIP :
Go for this match to end in a draw.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Udinese and accept the 1/4 ball here.
