The Opening Gambit

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Tip 1 - Chelsea v Roma, Wednesday October 22nd, 19.45

Roma League Form

31 Aug 08	AS Roma	1 - 1	Napoli
13 Sep 08	Palermo	3 - 1	AS Roma
20 Sep 08	AS Roma	3 - 0	Reggina
24 Sep 08	Genoa	3 - 1	AS Roma
28 Sep 08	AS Roma	2 - 0	Atalanta
5 Oct 08	Siena	1 - 0	AS Roma
19 Oct 08	AS Roma	0 - 4	Inter Milan

Roma currently sit 14th in Serie A, and are in disarray after a 4-0 home defeat by Inter Milan.

Chelsea League Form

17 Aug 08	Chelsea	4 - 0	Portsmouth
24 Aug 08	Wigan Athletic	0 - 1	Chelsea
31 Aug 08	Chelsea	1 - 1	Tottenham
13 Sep 08	Manchester City	1 - 3	Chelsea
21 Sep 08	Chelsea	1 - 1	Manchester Utd
27 Sep 08	Stoke City	0 - 2	Chelsea
5 Oct 08	Chelsea	2 - 0	Aston Villa
18 Oct 08	Middlesbrough	0 - 5	Chelsea

Chelsea have won six of their first eight premiership games, haven't conceded for three games, sit serenely atop the Premiership, and come into this game on the back of a vintage 5-0 destruction of Boro.

Champions League Form

Group A
16-9-2008	AS Roma	1 - 2	Cluj
16-9-2008	Chelsea	4 - 0	Bordeaux
1-10-2008	Bordeaux	1 - 3	AS Roma
1-10-2008	Cluj	0 - 0	Chelsea

Cluj have done well - beating Roma in Rome, and holding Chelsea at home - and both Roma and Chelsea beat Bordeaux, Chelsea more comfortably.

• So, Chelsea have better results against both the other teams in the group, and are in better league form.
• Chelsea have not conceded for three games - Roma have lost their last 3 away.
• Considering Cluj's position in the group, this is actually a must win game for Roma - Chelsea will know that, and will play accordingly.
  
• Plus, Roma have a poor record against English sides in Europe - remember their 7-1 annihilation at the hands of Man Utd?
  

Our Tip:

Chelsea to win - around 1.45 available on Betfair

Yes, they are a short price. Yes its a little unimaginative. But do you want to make money, or don't you? A winning 1.45 shot is better than a losing 4.5.

Current Pot: 100 points
Advised Bet: 5 points - Chelsea at 1.45