Andy's Wednesday tips - Roma to impress
Last year's beaten finalists Bayern Munich kick off their Champions League campaign against Roma, the side who pushed Inter Milan all the way last year in the race for the Serie A title.
After a disastrous start to the campaign, the original Tinkerman, Claudio Ranieri, went on an incredible run and at one stage even put his side in pole position to win the league before they just ran out of steam when it most mattered.
The fantastic Francesco Totti is still around, as is Daniele De Rossi, who was apparently the subject of a large bid from Real Madrid over the summer and is probably more influential both on and off the pitch than Totti these days.
Then there's Adriano. It's been a while since the bulky Brazilian was scoring goals for fun at Inter Milan but we all know what he can do if he's fit and motivated, so he's definitely one to monitor closely.
Bayern Munich were a little clumsy and a little careless early on in last year's campaign and needed a remarkable win in Turin against Juventus on the last day of the group stage to get through.
My feeling is that they may be a little vulnerable early on once again, especially when you consider that the "Robbery" partnership will be out of this game after Arjen Robben picked up yet another injury, which could rule him out till the end of the calendar year, while Franck Ribery is suspended.
It may just be worth taking the risk that Roma can take advantage of all this and deny odds-on Bayern all three points.
Recommended Bets:
Lay Bayern Munich at [1.71]
Back the 1-1 draw at [9.0]
Andy Gray is now on Twitter so follow him for his exclusive tips and his take on the biggest stories in football each week.
Published: 15 Sep 2010
Anonymous (September 15, 2010 12:21 AM) said:
to be fair andy has to get one right soon maybe this could be it?
Betfair Football (September 15, 2010 7:03 AM) said:
Anon,
Andy called the draw and Tim Cahill to score in the Everton/Man Utd game at the weekend, so it would be harsh to suggest that he's out of form.
Sonny (September 15, 2010 4:16 PM) said:
Roma with an injury list as long as your arm. Frank 'overrated' Ribery and Arjen Robben the latter I feel being sorely missed. Ok, Bayern have absolutely stormed out the block's, but with some tough opening fixtures in the shape of Wolfsburg & Werder they can be forgiven, Roma on the other hand cannot. A seriously lacklusrte performance at home to Cesena ended 0-0 and in my opinion they could have quite easily took all 3pts, the following week a 5-1 MAULING away to Cagliari, some will argue they had a player sent off in the 22nd which caused the upset...but 5-1? absolutely no excuse. Bayern to take all 3pts and comfortably.