Opta Big Match Stats: Man City's Italian curse to kick in

Gervinho scored twice in Roma's first Champions League group tie

The Opta trends point to Man City being kept waiting for their first Champions League victory...

Man City v Roma
Tuesday, 19:45
Live on ITV

Match Odds: Man City 1.684/6, Roma 5.69/2, The Draw 4.67/2

Man City have won just one of their last seven European meetings with Italian sides

After comfortably qualifying from their Champions League group at the third try last term with 15 points, Man City's narrow 0-1 loss away to Bayern Munich in their opener this time has set the tone for a struggle more in tune with the unsuccessful initial two attempts. Almost every available Opta stat indicates that they won't defeat Roma. The Premier League champions are on a three-game losing streak in the competition, whereas the Italian capital club won their first group tie 5-1 against CSKA Moscow and have triumphed in all six of their fixtures to date this season.

Best Bet: Lay Man City to win @ 1.695/7

Roma have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last nine Champions League matches

The Giallorossi's attacking quality rates it a near-certainty that they will score, particularly as Man City have conceded in seven of their eight clashes with top-flight opposition in 2014/15. However, Rudi Garcia's men aren't quite as hot defensively on the continent as they are back home, allowing CSKA Moscow to take a little shine off of what was their best-ever Champions League win last time out. Opta note that three of Man City's past four collisions with Italian sides finished 1-1, so that is an intriguing option at 9.417/2 if you don't wish to back both teams to score at odds-on.

Recommended Bet: Back both teams to score @ 1.758/11

Sergio Aguero has scored five goals in his last five Champions League appearances at the Etihad Stadium

It doesn't matter whether Man City are playing in the Premier League or the Champions League, at home or on their travels, there is always an impressive Opta insight involving Aguero, illustrating how special a talent he is. Opta add that he averages a goal every two games for the Citizens in Europe, but his figures this season are even more eye-catching: four strikes in four starts.

Recommended Bet: Back Aguero to score @ 2.26/5