Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
In what is a heavyweight Serie A showdown this weekend, Atalanta will welcome Lazio to Bergamo on Sunday evening.
Atalanta
Starting with the hosts, while Atalanta might have only got a new era underway over the summer following Ivan Juric’s arrival in Bergamo, La Dea appear to be enjoying life under the former Southampton boss. Despite eventually settling for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Como prior to October’s international break, they have suffered just a single defeat from any of their first eight appearances across all competitions. Putting a maiden Champions League victory on the board last month as they claimed a 2-1 win at hone against Belgium-based heavyweights Club Brugge, Juric’s camp will be looking to claim a heavyweight scalp this weekend. Pencilled in as a standout contender here, Atalanta should also be excited by their extended success in Bergamo. Along with registering seven points from their last three matchups at the New Balance Arena across all formats, La Dea have also lost just a sole showdown in front of their own supporters since the start of April.
Atalanta Team News
Featuring for Belgium over the past fortnight and making a speedy return from a muscle issue, former AC Milan star Charles De Ketelaere should make a full domestic return here. However, all still dealing with respective injury issues, Atalanta will be unable to call upon the likes of Gianluca Scamacca, Sean Kolasinac and Dutch defender Mitchel Bakker.
However, veteran midfielder Marten de Roon will return to Juric’s squad after serving a one-match suspension earlier in the month. Eventually staying put in Bergamo following extensive summer interest, one-time Everton misfit Ademola Lookman should keep his spot from the start.
Lazio
As for the visitors, while Lazio might have signed off September with a much-welcomed 3-0 romp away at Genoa, it appears that might have been just a minor boost for the Eagles. Last seen missing out on what they had billed as a potential opportunity at the Stadio Olimpico as they eventually had to settle for a pulsating 3-3 stalemate against Torino, there has been some suggestions that Maurizio Sarri finds some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Falling to a 1-0 loss against arch-rivals Roma on September 21st, the one-time Chelsea boss has seen his squad win just a pair of their previous nine Serie A appearances continuing on from last season. Marking their return from October’s fortnight interval sat in the bottom-half of the table, Lazio have the feel of a squad searching for some crucial stability.
Lazio Team News
Dealing with a groin issue prior to October’s fortnight interval, Lazio are once again sweating over the fitness of Italian international Nicolo Rovella here. However, one-time Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi will return to Sarri’s squad this weekend after serving a two-match Serie A suspension prior to October’s international break.
Notching three goals in his final two appearances prior to the October interval, 23-year-old Matteo Cancellieri will play a leading role in the final third. Now entering a fourth campaign at the Stadio Olimpico, ex-AC Milan star Alessio Romadnoli will start at the heart of Lazio’s defence.
Atalanta vs Lazio Key Factors to Consider
- Atalanta have suffered just a single defeat from any of their first eight appearances across all competitions.
- Along with registering seven points from their last three matchups at the New Balance Arena across all formats, La Dea have also lost just a sole showdown in front of their own supporters since the start of April.
- However, Atalanta have recorded just a sole clean sheet since opening up the new campaign.
- Lazio have won just a pair of their previous nine Serie A appearances continuing on from last season.
- Three of the last four meetings between Atalanta and Lazio have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Suffering just a single defeat in Bergamo since the start of April, Atalanta will be confident of claiming a heavyweight Serie A scalp here. However, only mustering just a single clean sheet from any of their first eight appearances across all competitions, we could be set for an enjoyable domestic showdown from the New Balance Arena. Watching Lazio play out a pulsating 3-3 stalemate against Torino prior to October’s international break, it should also be noted that three of the last four meetings between Sunday’s opponents have finished with both teams finding the net.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
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