Roma vs Atalanta

AS Roma are back at the Olimpico needing to win against Atalanta and also needing help from other results to keep their faint title hopes alive. This is a direct clash between clubs coming off of offensive explosions last week as both Roma and Atalanta scored 3 goals in winning efforts.

AS Roma scored a surprisingly lopsided 0-3 win away from home last week when they beat Sampdoria at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in week 36. That win, coupled with Inter Milan’s loss to AC Milan in the derby allows the giallorossi to move to within 3 points of the league leaders as they now sit in 2^nd place of Serie A with 78 points. Roma are also 8 points up on 3^rd place Juventus. Nedo Spalletti’s side were also able to take care of business in their Coppa Italia this week and advanced to the final where they will take on Inter Milan. Roma are unbeaten over their past 5 matches and have won 5 over that stretch. 3 players are confirmed injury absences this week in Pit, club captain Totti and Taddei.

Atalanta held serve at home in week 36 with a 3-2 win over Livorno at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia. With their win the bergamaschi are now 11^th in the league table with 45 points for the season. They sit 1 point back of 10^th place Palermo and 3 points ahead of 12^th place Siena. The victory helped the side managed by Gigi del Neri snap a 4 match winless run. The injury list is extensive this week with Costinha, Forsyth, Carrozzieri, Langella, Tissone and Manfredini all having been ruled out. Meanwhile, Guarente is out suspended. Look for Atalanta to go with a 4-4-2 featuring Muslimovic and Ferreira Pinto on the wings with Floccari and Doni in attack.

Roma have to be considered favorites in this contest both because they are very strong at home and they have everything to play for this week. In 18 matches at home this season Roma have posted 14 wins, 3 draws and just 1 loss. At the other end of the spectrum Atalanta have won just 4 road games with 5 draws and 9 losses. Roma have to have this match to keep their title hopes alive into the final week.

Prediction: Roma (2-1)