Out-of-sorts Roma to sneak past Shakhtar
It's tough not to sympathise with Claudio Ranieri, who despite inspiring an unlikely title challenge upon arrival at Roma last season and guiding them into the latter stages of two cup competitions this year faces constant speculation about his job, the latest involving ex-player Vincenzo Montella.
Captain Francesco Totti and several of the Giallorossi's other attacking players make a show of any decision to substitute them during games, prompting fresh talk that Ranieri has lost the dressing room, and even the Tinkerman can't really manage to accommodate them all in his starting line-up.
The latest round of rumours that the former Chelsea boss is in immediate danger of the sack has been prompted by successive defeats to Inter Milan and Napoli which have effectively ended their domestic title chances, which if anything makes European success an even greater ambition.
Saturday's setback against Napoli was their first at the Stadio Olimpico against Italian opposition but October's loss to FC Basel showed they are far from infallible there in the Champions League and a Shakhtar Donetsk side that won 3-0 twice on their travels in the group stage will be optimistic of taking advantage.
The Ukrainian champions and runaway leaders are [3.95] to spring a surprise in the Italian capital in light of Roma's recent results yet the effect of over two months without a competitive match can't be underestimated by those who fancy the visitors.
Ranieri's team have conceded six times in their last five home encounters, leaking six in three in the Champions League, so while there's enough evidence to back them at [2.16], don't expect them to sew the tie up. Over 2.5 goals is a tasty [2.3] with our score pick of 2-1 Roma offered at [10.5].
Roma v Shakthar Donetsk
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Live on Sky Sports 2
Who do you think will progress to the quarter-finals? There's nothing to choose between the clubs with Roma [1.98] and Shakhtar [2.0]...
Published: 16 Feb 2011
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