Prediction: Roma vs Atalanta

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Two sides battling it out in the European chase, Roma will welcome Atalanta to the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night.

Roma

Starting with the hosts, managing to extend on their Coppa Italia adventure earlier in the week after securing a 2-1 victory at home against Cremonese, Roma will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. However. although Jose Mourinho’s men might have breezed their way to a Europa League knockout stage ticket last month, the one-time Manchester United boss has seen his squad struggle to find any kind of domestic stability this season. Last seen in Serie A action signing off 2023 with a 1-0 loss away at historic rivals Juventus, the Giallorossi have recorded just a single win from any of their previous four top-flight appearances. Falling out of the top-six and desperate to claim a welcomed Serie A boost this weekend, Roma will certainly be excited to make a return to the Stadio Olimpico here. Along with winning all of their last three showdowns at the Stadio Olimpico by an aggregate score of 7-1, Mourinho’s side have not suffered a single contest in front of their own supporters since way back on September 1st.

Team News

Both yet to make a single appearance across any competition this season, Roma will once again be without there services of England internationals Tammy Abraham and Chris Smalling here. Likewise, still dealing with a long-term knee injury, former Verona defender Marash Kumbulla remains on the sidelines this weekend.

Already notching eight Serie A strikes since completing a season-long loan switch from Premier League outfit Chelsea over the summer, attacking talisman Romelu Lukaku will once again spearhead Roma’s charge on Sunday night.

Atalanta

As for the visitors, while Atalanta might have opened the 2023/24 campaign in the midst of their own Serie A struggle, La Dea have come roaring back in an eye-catching fashion. Punching their Coppa Italia semi-final ticket earlier in the week as they cruised their way to a 3-1 romp against Sassuolo, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side have now won five of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Following Roma in breezing their way to the Europa League knockout stage last month, the Bergamo-based outfit could be smelling the chance to spring a major statement here. Signing off 2023 with a gritty 1-0 win against Leece, Atalanta will be hoping to find some much-needed stability on the road. Including an infamous 3-0 drumming against Torino back on Torino, Gasperini’s side have recorded just a pair of victories from any of their last seven showdowns away from the Gewiss Stadium. However, it should be highlighted, when Atalanta last met Roma back on April 24th, La Dea picked up a stellar 3-1 victory in Bergamo.

Team News

Still dealing with a stacked injury list, Atalanta will be unable to call upon the likes of Hans Hateboer, Jose Luis Palomino, Rafael Toloi, Lukas Vorlicky and big-money summer recruit El Bilal Toure this weekend.

Finding the net against Leece when signing off 2023 and already bagging seven Serie A strikes this season, former Leicester star Ademola Lookman will have a leading role to play on Sunday night. Ex-West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca will be handed a full recall here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Roma and Atalanta last met back on April 24th, La Dea picked up a 3-1 victory at the Gewiss Stadium.
• Likewise, Sunday’s guests have won five of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
• Roma have won all of their previous three showdowns at the Stadio Olimpico by an aggregate score of 7-1.
• Belgium international Romelu Lukaku has bagged eight Serie A strikes this season.
• Five of the last seven meetings between Atalanta and Roma have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Two sides that punched their own respective Coppa Italia semi-final tickets in midweek, we could be treated to an enjoyable affair from the Stadio Olimpico here. With Atalanta winning five of their last six appearances and signing off 2023 with a real flurry, La Dea will also be excited by their most recent showdown against Roma. Landing a 3-1 win when they last met back on April 24th, chances could come thick and fast this weekend. With five of the previous seven meetings between Sunday’s opponents finishing with both teams finding the net, we are backing a similar outcome in Rome.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet