Real Madrid v Roma Betting Tips: Latest odds, team news, preview and predictions

The Champions League holders begin the defence of their title with a game against the side that could cause them the most problems in Group G.

Roma exceeded many people's expectations last season in reaching the semi-final of the competition for the first time in their history, and the Giallorossi will fancy their chances of progressing to the knockout stages once more.

However, the Santiago Bernabeu is possibly the toughest place to begin a Champions Leauge campaign and Real Madrid have not lost a home group game since October 2009.

Latest odds

Julen Lopetegui's side are offered at 7/20 (1.35) by William Hill to claim another win, while the visitors are priced at 6/1 (7.00) and the draw available at 24/5 (5.80).

Team news

Both Casemiro and Isco were on the bench at the weekend for Real's La Liga trip to Bilbao which ended 1-1, but both are likely to return to the starting eleven.

Roma have Javier Pastore struggling with a muscle injury and he is almost certain to miss the game.

Preview

Roma's defensive frailties were underlined in a 2-2 draw at home to Chievo at the weekend, which saw them booed off the pitch after letting a two-goal lead slip.

Prior to that result, Eusebio Di Francesco's men had conceded twice to AC Milan and three goals to Atlanta in what has been a disappointing start to their domestic campaign.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have generally looked sharp in front of goal and while the 1-1 draw in Bilbao on Saturday night was a frustrating evening, Lopetegui's team still created chances.

The hosts will feel that Roma will be there for the taking, and backing the current European champions to get among the goals at home is generally a solid option.

Tips and predictions

Real Madrid are priced at just 3/10 (1.30) to score over 1.5 goals, while they can be backed at evens (2.00) to score over 2.5 goals. Perhaps a shrewder angle, though, is backing a home win and goals at both ends at 13/10 (2.30).

Both teams to score has paid out in each of the last five European matches at the Bernabeu, with both Roma and Real scoring in all four of their respective domestic games this season.

Real Madrid to win and both teams to score at 13/10 (2.30) for a 2pt stake with William Hill William Hill