Prediction: Atalanta vs Roma

Verdict: Atalanta win & both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who have their sight set on clinching another European finish this season, Atalanta will welcome Roma to the Gewiss Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Atalanta

Starting with the hosts, while Atalanta might have faced a tough test on the road last weekend, La Dea did eventually get a perfect response against Verona. Managing to put their Champions League heartbreak at the hands of Villarreal somewhat behind them as they claimed a 2-1 win last time out, Head Coach Gian Piero Gasperini will now be calling for his side to build off of that result. Although the Bergamo-based outfit might have seen themselves drop down the Europa League earlier in the month, Atalanta are enjoying a Serie A purple patch. On a run highlighted by a hugely impressive 3-2 victory against Napoli on December 4th, La Dea have won each of their last six straight top-flight matchups. More impressive, looking to lay down another marker at the Gewiss Stadium on Saturday afternoon, it should also be noted that this weekend’s hosts are unbeaten on Serie A duties in any of their last 10 outings.

Team News

Still dealing with a knock, German international Robin Gosens will miss out on Saturday afternoon.

However, aside from Gian Piero Gasperini’s number one left-back missing out here, Atalanta do have a full squad to choose from.

Roma

As for the visitors, also managing to find their own domestic boost last time out, Roma will also be desperate to build off of that display on home soil. Claiming a deserved 2-0 victory against Spezia at the Stadio Olimpico, Jose Mourinho has been open about his side’s recent inconsistencies. Suffering back-to-back defeats at the hands of Bologna and a 3-0 romp against defending champions Inter Milan, the former Manchester United boss is an a real uphill battle to clinch a top-four return. Winning just four of their last 10 Serie A matchups, Roma fans will also be worried by their side’s extended problems on the road. Last seen away from the Stadio Olimpico getting hit with a 1-0 loss against Bologna, Mourinho’s men have in fact lost five of their previous seven Serie A away fixtures, a run that stems back to August 29th. Holding a worrying record against Saturday’s opponents, the Giallorossi could be in for a tough test here.

Team News

In what could be a real blow for Roma, the likes of Leonardo Spinazzola, Lorenzo Pellegrini and forward Stephan El Shaarawy are all expected to miss out.

Likewise, starlet Felix Afena-Gyan is suspended and will not travel to the Gewiss Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Key Factors to Consider

• Atalanta are unbeaten in each of their last seven meetings against Saturday’s opponents, recording four wins and three draws.
• Six of those seven meetings have finished with both teams finding the net.
• La Dea have won each of their last six Serie A matchups on the spin, including victories against Napoli and Juventus.
• Roma have won just four of their previous 10 Serie A matchups.
• Likewise, the Giallorossi have lost five of their previous seven Serie A away fixtures, a run that stems back to August 29th.

Conclusion

Managing to put last week’s Champions League heartbreak behind them, Atalanta will be desperate to lay down a domestic marker here. Continuing on what has been a stellar Serie A purple patch after winning each of their last six top-flight fixtures, Jose Mourinho’s away day strugglers could face another tough test on the road. Last seen away from the Stadio Olimpico getting hit with a 1-0 loss against Bologna, it should be noted that Roma have lost five of their last seven away fixtures. Holding an impressive seven-match unbeaten run against Saturday’s guests, we’re backing a home victory in what could be another lively affair at the Gewiss Stadium.

Verdict: Atalanta win & both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Unibet