Champions League Group E: Roma need win against Leverkusen

De Rossi needs to keep discipline and carry scoring form

Daniele De Rossi was on target in his 500th game for the club at the weekend against Empoli, and the midfield destroyer 11/2 shout to score again anytime. He’ll be hoping to avoid being sent off, though, as he was in this fixture 11 years ago.

“There’s no question it won’t be easy against Leverkusen because we’re playing away from home and they are a quality side,” De Rossi said. “Qualification to the next round of the Champions League is at stake in this match so it will be a kind of mini knockout game.”

Premier League players aplenty in this fixture

Evergreen forward and club captain Francesco Totti, 39, meanwhile, netted in that same match, so is a 5/2 chance in the same market. Former Premier League attackers Edin Dzeko (12/5), Mohamed Salah and Gervinho (both 13/5) are also ones to look out for.

As for the hosts, former Manchester United cult hero Javier Hernandez will be a familiar face, and the lively Mexican is 9/5 to add to his strike against BATE.

Fellow frontman Stefan Kiessling is also a 9/5 chance, while surprise scorer against Barcelona Kyriakos Papadopoulos is 6/1 to get another goal and continue his fine form after a number of long injury lay-offs.

Related

View our Champions League archive
Take a look at our Bayer Leverkusen and Roma content too

Coral’s top tip: Roma only have one point so far in Group E, but are in better form than Bayer domestically, so back a draw at 13/5.