Roma Favourites to Take First Leg Advantage

Champions League | Preview

11/02/19

Roma Favourites to Take First Leg Advantage

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The Champions League returns from a break on Tuesday night and we have two games to enjoy. One of which takes place in the Eternal City as Roma host Porto at the Stadio Olimpico. For the first time in the history of the competition, we will see VAR in use at this match.

With the away goals rule in operation, Roma will be hoping to win the game and keep a clean sheet whereas Porto will be hoping to improve their chances in the second leg by scoring a goal.

Roma come into this match having defeated Chievo Verona 3-0 away from home in Serie A on the weekend. That was their first win in four matches and a well-timed return to winning ways ahead of the Champions League.

Despite winning only one of their last four, Roma have remained difficult to beat and have suffered just one defeat in their last eight matches but that was a heavy 7-1 thrashing at Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia.

In the Champions League, Roma progressed through Group G in second place on 9 points behind Real Madrid. They won two of their three games against Viktoria Plzen and CSKA Moscow but lost 2-0 to Real Madrid. The loss to Real Madrid was their first defeat at home in the Champions league in their last nine games, with each of the previous seven ending in wins.

Roma have kept a clean sheet in seven of their last nine home Champions League matches.

Porto were held to a 1-1 draw at Moreirense in the Portuguese Primeira on the weekend but maintained their position at the top of the table. However, that result means they have won one of their last four games in all competitions and have been held in each of their last two.

A look back on their overall recent form and trends show Porto have lost just one of their last twenty-six matches in all competitions and that was a penalty shoot-out following a draw in the Portuguese League Cup against Sporting Lisbon.

Porto came through as Group D winners in the Champions League, winning five and drawing one of their six games. They defeated Galatasaray and Lokomotiv Moscow away from home plus held Schalke to a 1-1 draw in Germany.

Trends show Porto are undefeated in their last five away Champions league games, winning two and drawing three.

Team news and Roma have doubts over Robin Olsen and Konstantinos Manolas. It would be a big blow if they failed to recover in time. Patrik Schick has a hip injury, Cengiz Under a thigh problem and Diego Perotti a muscle injury plus Luca Pellegrini is suspended.

Porto also have a man suspended and Jesus Manuel Corona will sit this one out. Max Pereira and Marius Mouandilmadji are struggling while Vincent Aboubakar and Moussa Marega will definitely miss out.

Having reached the semi-final last season, Roma will be hoping for another long run in this campaign. They lost 3-0 at home to Porto on the playoff round back in 2016 but this will be a different occasion and Roma should take a lead with them into the second leg and will expect to keep a clean in the process.