A key battle in the race for a top-four Serie A finish will take place in Bergamo on Saturday, when Atalanta host AS Roma at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia. Atalanta have won the reverse fixture 2-0 in September, with goals from Duvan Zapata and Marten de Roon. That result extended Atalanta's unbeaten run against Roma to four games, Roma have defeated them in just one of the last ten direct meetings.
Atalanta have established themselves as a real force in the Italian top flight and they seem perfectly capable of achieving a second consecutive top-four finish. Last week they snatched a 2-1 victory at Fiorentina to consolidate their fourth position in the league table, three points clear of fifth-placed AS Roma. The three teams that are fighting for the title, Inter, Juventus and Lazio are too far ahead, but Atalanta can definitely fight for the fourth spot. They have lost just one of their last seven Serie A matches, a surprise 2-1 defeat at home against Spal. Bosko Sutalo is out injured for the home side.
AS Roma have lost their last two Serie A matches, 3-2 at home against Bologna last week and 4-2 at Sassuolo the week before, and they have conceded goals in their last five matches in all competitions. They are without a win in their last four matches in all competitions and have been knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Juventus. AS Roma have won just one of their last six Serie A matches and have lost four of them, a terrible streak that marks their worst period of the season. Bryan Cristante is suspended for Saturday's match, while Amadou Diawara, Nicolo Zaniolo and Davide Zappacosta are all injured.
Probable line-ups:
Atalanta: Gollini - Toloi, Palomino, Djimsiti - Castagne, De Roon, Pasalic, Gosens - Gomez - Ilicic, Zapata
Roma: Pau Lopez - Bruno Peres, Fazio, Smalling, Spinazzola - Mancini - Carles Perez, Veretout, Pellegrini, Kluivert - Dzeko
My prediction:
Roma are going through a very difficult period and Atalanta are ready and strong enough to take advantage, I think the home side will win 3-1.
Here are the odds for this match at NetBet:
Atalanta win - 1.80
Draw - 4.20
Roma win - 3.90
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