Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 12/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
In what is a heavyweight Serie A showdown on Saturday night, Roma will welcome Atalanta to the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma
Starting with the hosts, making an immediate return to winning ways last weekend as they stormed their way to a routine 3-0 victory at home against Pisa, Roma will be dreaming of a repeat performance here. However, marking their return from March’s international break with a rollercoaster 5-2 defeat away at runaway leaders and historic foes Inter Milan, it is no secret that Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are searching for some recent stability. Suffering public Europa League heartbreak last month as they watched their European adventure come to an infamous end at the hands of Bologna, the former Atalanta boss has seen his inconsistent squad win just a pair of their previous eight appearances across all competitions. Likewise, the Wolves have recorded consecutive Serie A victories on just a single occasion so far this calendar year.
Roma Team News
Still sidelined after undergoing ankle surgery back in January, Roma will once again be without Brighton loanee Evan Ferguson this weekend. Likewise, not seen since the end of January and expected to complete a summer switch away from the Stadio Olimpico, Argentinian superstar Paulo Dybala remains on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Bagging a spectacular Serie A hat-trick against Pisa last weekend and notching all three of Roma’s goals, Aston Villa loanee Donyell Malen has recorded 10 top-flight strikes in his first 12 appearances for Gasperini’s side and will certainly play a leading role in attack.
Atalanta
As for the visitors, missing out on what they had billed as a golden opportunity last weekend as they eventually fell to a toothless 1-0 loss at home against Juventus, Atalanta find themselves in an almost identical position to Saturday’s opponents. Watching their iconic Champions League adventure come to a thumping end on March 18th as they slumped to a 10-2 aggregate hammering against Bayern Munich, La Dea have a real battle on their hands in the race to book a top-six finish over the coming weeks. Despite marking their return from March’s fortnight interval with an empathic 3-0 romp away at Lecce, Raffaele Palladino’s camp have won just a pair of their previous nine appearances across all competitions. Nevertheless, despite being pencilled in as a real underdog contender this weekend, it should be noted that Atalanta have won all of their last four consecutive showdowns against Roma by an aggregate score of 7-2.
Atalanta Team News
Not featuring since suffering a reported thigh injury while away with Sweden last month, Atalanta are once again expected to be without Isak Hien here. However, aside from the former Verona defender, La Dea have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns.
Once again forced to settle for a spot on the bench against Juventus last weekend, Croatian international Mario Pasalic could make a first domestic start since March 14th. Registering nine goals in what his a maiden campaign in Bergamo, Montenegro marksman Nikola Krstovic should keep his spot leading the line.
Roma vs Atalanta Key Factors to Consider
- On what has become a sensational run, Atalanta have won all of their last four consecutive showdowns against Roma by an aggregate score of 7-2.
- In fact, Atalanta have remarkably registered seven points from their previous three Serie A trips to the Stadio Olimpico.
- La Dea have registered just a pair of wins from their previous nine appearances across all competitions.
- Likewise, Roma have won just a pair of their last 10 showdowns across all fronts.
- Including a Serie A hat-trick against Pisa last weekend, Aston Villa loanee Donyell Malen has registered 10 goals in his first 12 top-flight appearances.
Conclusion
While Atalanta might travel to Rome this weekend pencilled in as an underdog contender, La Dea will certainly be excited by a dominant recent record against Saturday’s opponents. Along with remarkably winning all of their previous four consecutive meetings by an aggregate score of 7-2, they have also registered seven points from just their last three trips to the Stadio Olimpico. Two camps who sit next to each other in the Serie A standings, we could be set for a season-defining showdown on Saturday night.
Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 12/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet