Some in the United States are already calling the upcoming Champions League Semifinal between AS Roma and Liverpool the Boston Derby. Liverpool is notably owned by Fenway Sports Group, a group of businessmen led by John Henry who first purchased the Boston Red Sox before diving into the Premier League. Meanwhile, Roma is partially owned, and chaired, by James Pallotta. Pallotta is from Boston as well and is also the co-owner of the Boston Celtics and eSports organization Fnatic.
Both of these historic clubs are making their deepest run in the Champions League in sometime and both are just one win away from getting to the Champions League Final. The winner will face the winner of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in Kyiv for all the marbles at the end of May.
Don't miss the Champions League action from Anfield at 2:45 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on FS1.
Champions League Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
AS Roma +468
Liverpool -185
Draw +345
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
It’s not a surprise to see Liverpool favored in this one. The Reds have been fantastic at home and have yet to drop a match in the Champions League. After winning their group, they decimated Porto and Manchester City by a combined score of 10-1 in order to make it to the semifinals.
Roma knows it has the longest odds to win the Champions League, but the club feels that winning it all may be in the cards. After surviving a scare from Shakhtar Donetsk, Roma gave us one of the greatest second leg comebacks of all time. Barcelona is still in disbelief following Roma’s 3-0 win that sent them crashing out of the Champions League.
Injuries to Watch
The visitors don’t have much to report on the injury front. Roma has been without the services of right back Rick Karsdorp for the entire season, but there is no one else that has been definitively ruled out of this tilt. Forward Gregoire Defrel is considered questionable with an ankle injury, and he is the only other name on Roma’s injury report.
Things aren’t as good for Liverpool in this respect. The club has already said goodbye to center back Joel Matip for the rest of the season, and there are doubts that Adam Lallana, Emre Can, and Nathaniel Clyne will be available again.
Liverpool is hoping that two players will be fit for this tilt though. Defender Joe Gomez has been out for the last month after getting injured in a friendly during the international break. His return would certainly help, but not as much as another player. Center back Dejan Lovren hobbled off the pitch in the club’s win over Bournemouth last weekend. Lovren is the rock at the back for Liverpool with Matip out, and there are some major concerns if he is unable to play.
Key Player
Roma would love to pick up a result away from home, but a close loss wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world considering Liverpool’s offensive firepower. That puts the pressure on Alisson Becker to have a solid performance.
Alisson is going to be the man in net for Brazil during the World Cup and has been arguably the top goalkeeper in Italy this season. He emerged as the team’s number one in the offseason, leading to Roma dealing Wojciech Szczesny to rival Juventus. Alisson has been a major factor in Roma’s Champions League run.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
This match could feature a number of goals, even with solid play from both goalkeepers. Liverpool has one of the most explosive offenses in the world with Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino on the pitch, while Roma’s Edin Dzeko has really turned it on as of late. The over is the best play, and I believe Liverpool will hold serve and pick up the win too.
Champions League Odds: Liverpool 3, AS Roma 1
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