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)

Atalanta vs Juventus

Atalanta Bergamo and Juventus will meet at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia in a match up of sides going in different directions in week 34 of Serie A. Atalanta are coming off of a bad loss at home as Juventus put together one of their best weeks of the season as they picked up 6 from their two matches.

The bergamaschi come into this match in 11^th place of Serie A with 41 points for the season. They sit one point back of 10^th place Palermo and 1 point ahead of SS Lazio who are 12^th. Last week Atalanta fell on the road to SS Napoli by a score of 2-0 at the Stadio San Paolo. With their loss Atalanta have now lost 2 straight and 3 of their last 5 games with just 1 win over that span. They have now been held scoreless over their past 2 games. Manager Gigi del Neri will have a couple of injury concerns with Costinha, Muslimovic and Talamonti out injured while Doni will sit out suspended. However, there is some good news as Langella and Rivalta will return from injury.

Juventus won 2 matches over the past week. They started things off with a big victory by a score of 3-2 at home in their derby match against AC Milan at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. Next, the bianconeri followed it up with a 3-0 win at home to Parma. Thanks to their two victories the side managed by Claudio Ranieri are now in 3^rd place of the league table with 64 points on the present campaign. Their 64 points leave them 7 points back of 2^nd place AS Roma and 8 points ahead of 4^th place Fiorentina. Juve are now winners of 3 of their last 4 games. For this week’s contest away to Atalanta, Juventus will be missing Andrade, Iaquinta, Chiellini and recent acquisition Sissoko to injury. On a bright note, both Trezeguet and Del Piero will be available.

Atalanta have been dropping points left and right over the past few weeks and this of course has led to a steady drop in the league table. At one point they were in range of a possible UEFA Cup spot but now find themselves in the wrong half of the league table. Now they face a Juventus outfit who are clicking on all cylinders. Making matters worse for the homeside is the fact that they will be missing their best player in Doni.

Prediction: Juventus (1-2)

Napoli vs Atalanta

Napoli and Atalanta will face-off in a battle of clubs separated by just one point in the Serie A league table in week 33. Both sides are coming off of ugly losses a week ago.

Napoli come into this contest in 10^th place of the league table with 40 points on the present campaign. They currently sit 1 point back of 9^th place Atalanta making this match their best opportunity left this season to leap-frog over them in the standings. The partenopei also hold a 1 point edge on 11^th place SS Lazio. Last week they suffered a very bad loss on the road at the hands of Catania by a score of 3-0. They have now posted 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw over their last 5 contests. There is only one name on the injured list this week and it is Uruguayan striker Marcelo Zalayeta. Santacroce is out suspended at this time and his place will go to Contini as manager Reda keeps his 3-5-2 formation. In attack Argentine striker Lavezzi will be joined by Calaio as fellow Argentine Roberto Sosa is not ready for 90 minutes and will start on the bench.

Atalanta were losers at home last week to league leaders Inter Milan by a score of 0-2 at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia. The result continued a dry spell for the bergamaschi which has seen them score just 2 goals over their past 4 games. They are now in 9^th place of the league table with 41 points and sit 1 point back of 8^th place Genoa. They have obtained 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses from their last 5 games. Manager Del Neri will have to deal with some important absences this week as the club’s most important player Doni is out suspended for the next 2 games while the Argentine Rivalta is out injured. Rivalta is joined by Costinha, Muslimovic, Talamonti and Langella. On the bright side, Carrozzieri returns to the first eleven.

Napoli appear to have the edge this week. Not only will they be at home, but Atalanta will be missing the heart and soul of their club in Doni- not to mention Rivalta. Couple these absences with Atalanta’s alarming inability to score goals of late and the stage is set for the side from the Stadio San Paolo to move into 9^th place.

Prediction: Napoli (1-0)

Atalanta vs Inter Milan

Atalanta face a Milan club for the second straight week in Round 32 of Serie A as they host Inter Milan at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia. Last week they were able to score an improbable victory over AC Milan and will be looking to make it two for two this week. Inter Milan have been struggling a bit of late but remain in first place of the league table as the season enters the final stretch.

Atalanta came up with a most unexpected win on the road last week as they surprised AC Milan by a score of 1-2 at the San Siro. With the victory the side managed by Gigi Del Neri are now in 9^th place of the league table with 41 points on the year. They sit 1 point behind 8^th place Genoa and 1 point ahead of 10^th place SS Napoli. Atalanta are now unbeaten over their last two games and have posted 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw over their last 5. There is bad news on the injury from this week for the bergamaschi as defender Rivalta has been ruled out for the next 3 weeks due to injury. He will be replaced by either Belleri or Capelli. Costinha, Muslimovic and Talamonti round out the rest of the injured list while Carrozzieri will sit out suspended.

The neroazzurri are currently going through one of their toughest stretches of the season but remain in first place with 69 points, 4 ahead of 2^nd place AS Roma. In their last match, Inter Milan played to a 1-1 draw away to Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico. The draw extends the league leaders’ winless run to 3 matches. The side managed by Roberto Mancini have obtained 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss over their last 5 games. On the injury front, Dacourt, Samuel and Cordoba remain out. Figo and Cambiasso are set to start while Ibrahimovic, Suazo and Cruz are likely to start this away day on the bench.

Atalanta will have a hard time trying to top themselves after last week’s effort. Even with all of Inter Milan’s recent struggles, Atalanta’s home record is still not as good as Inter’s road record. This one has stalemate written all over it.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

AC Milan vs Atalanta

AC Milan were able to bounce back in Round 30 of Serie A and got back to their winning ways on the road. This week they will be hosting an Atalanta outfit that dropped 2 very disappointing points at home in their last match.

The Rossoneri are in 5^th place of the league table at this time with 49 points. They are 4 points back of 4^th place Fiorentina and 2 points up on Udinese. In their last match the side managed by Carlo Ancelotti were able to secure a 0-1 win away to Torino at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. The result allowed AC Milan to snap a 2 match losing spell and they have now won 2 of their last 5 matches to go with 1 draw and 2 losses. There were some questions earlier this week as to what type of condition the players that had participated in the various international this week would return to the club but is has been confirmed that both Seedorf and Pato are ready to play. Kaka’ remains injured this week along with Ronaldo, Emerson, Serginho and Pippo Inzaghi. Therefore, look for AC Milan to go with a 4-3-1-2 with Seedorf playing just behind the strikers Gilardino and Pato.

Atalanta were held to a frustrating draw at home in week 30 by Catania in their match at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia which ended 0-0. It was the second consecutive match in which the club managed by Gigi Del Neri have failed to score a goal. In fact, the bergamaschi have failed to score in 4 of their last 5 games during which time they have compiled a record of 1 win, 1 draw and 3 losses. They have 38 points for the year which leave them 1 point back of 8^th place Genoa and 1 point ahead of 10^th place Lazio. The injured list this week consists of Costinha, Capelli and Mulimovic with Carrozzieri out suspended for 2 games. Atalanta will travel to the San Siro with a 4-4-1-1 formation featuring Doni playing just behind Floccari.

While AC Milan will certainly be the favorite on paper this week, their troubles at home have been well documented. In 14 home matches this season the rossoneri have compiled 4 wins and 7 draws with 3 losses. Meanwhile, Atalanta have 3 wins and 4 draws with 8 losses away from home. AC Milan are a different club without Kaka’ on the pitch and if the visitors are able to hold Pato in check they will have a chance.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Udinese vs Atalanta

Udinese have really hit hard times of late and will be hoping to find the right balance at home as they face off against Atalanta at the Stadio Friuli in week 26. Atalanta were big winners last week and will look to build off of the performance this week.

The side managed by Marino were beaten away to Parma on their visit to the Stadio Ennio Tardini by a score 2-0. That was their 4^th loss in the last 5 matches during which they have conceded 13 goals. Part of the reason for the struggles has been the loss of Colombian center back Zapata. He is the player who organizes the Udinese back line and consequently the most important player in their 3 man back line system. At this time he is expected to miss out once more. Still, despite all their recent struggles the friuliani are still in a very respectable 6^th place of the Serie A table with 36 points. They are 1 point up on 7^th place Sampdoria and 6 points back of 5^th place AC Milan. Notwithstanding injuries to the aforementioned Zapata along with De Martino, Asamoah, Obodo and Mesto, Marino will stick with the 3-4-3 with Lukovic, Felipe and Zapotocny forming the defense. Meanwhile, Handanovic returns in goal for Chimenti.

Atalanta were absolutely brilliant during their midweek match at home to Sampdoria as they scored a comfortable 4-1 victory. It was their 2^nd win over their last 5 matches to go along with 2 draws and 1 loss. Even more impressive is that they are averaging at least 2 goals a match over that stretch with 11 scored overall. With the 3 points the bergamaschi are now in 9^th place of the league table with 34 points. They sit just ahead of 10^th place Palermo on goal difference and 1 point behind 8^th place Genoa. The injured list this week for manager Gigi Del Neri consists of Carrozzieri, Bellini, Costinha, and Forsyth. Brazilian Ferreira Pinto will make the start on the right side of midfield, with the club’s best player Doni starting behind Floccari in attack.

This will be a very tough match for Udinese despite it taking place in their home park. They do not match up well against the very creative attack of Atlanta and the numbers spell it out clearly. Udinese have conceded 13 goals over their last 5 matches while Atalanta have scored 11 during the same span. Udinese will need to improve immensely on the defensive end just to have a chance.

Prediction: Atalanta (1-2)

Atalanta vs Sampdoria

9^th place Atalanta are home in week 25 to take on Sampdoria at the Stadio Atleti Azzuri D’Italia. The contest will feature two sides that will be trying to get back on track after having been held to draws in their matches at home over the weekend.

The bergamaschi come into this contest after playing Siena to a 2-2 draw at home. This will be their 2^nd consecutive home match. The draw leaves Atalanta in 9^th place of the Serie A league table with 31 points. They are one point back of 8^th place Genoa and just ahead of 10^th place Palermo. Manager Gigi del Neri’s side are now winless over their last 3 matches and this includes an oddity in that they have now played to 3 consecutive 2-2 draws at home with Reggina and Fiorentina have come before Siena. There are no suspended players at this time though Forsyth, Carrozzieri and Simone Inzhaghi are all expected to miss out due to injury. The important thing for Atalanta is that Doni will start.

Sampdoria were also held to a draw at home when they played against league leaders Inter Milan in a match that ended 1-1 at the Luigi Ferraris. The point leaves i doriani in 7^th place of the league table with 35 points, just 1 behind Udinese and 3 ahead of 8^th place Genoa. There is bad news this week on the injury front for manager Mazzari as one of the club’s top strikers- Bellucci- has been ruled out due to a partial meniscus tear. The club will try all the rehab that is possible before decided on possible season ending surgery. Look for Sammarco and Delvecchio to team up behind Antonio Cassano as the lone striker. The draw to Inter extended Sampdoria’s unbeaten run to 3 matches.

While wins have proven to be very hard for Atalanta to come by of late they have shown to have a propensity for scoring goal and have scored at least 2 over their last 4 games. Sampdoria’s back line will certainly be challenged and it will be interesting to see how they fare with Cassano alone in attack. Samp have won only 3 of 12 matches away form home with 8 losses, while Atalanta have lost just 2 of 10. Look for Atalanta to finally break through at home.

Prediction: Atalanta (2-1)

Lazio vs Atalanta

Lazio return to the Stadio Olimpico looking to bounce back from an ugly loss away from home last week to Empoli when they host Atalanta. Atalanta were also disappointing last week as they dropped 2 points at home and they have now combined with Lazio to win just 2 of their last 10 matches.

The biancocelesti are in 13^th place of the Serie A league table with 23 points on the present campaign. They are 1 point behind 12^th place Torino and just ahead of 14^th place Catania on goal difference. Last week they were surprise losers away to relegation battlers Empoli at the Stadio Carlo Castellani by a score of 1-0. With the loss Delio Rossi’s side have now posted just 1 win to go along with 2 draws and 2 losses in their last 5 games. The injured list this week includes Firmani, Zauri and Mutarelli while Kolarov is out suspended. Lazio will go with a 4-3-1-2 featuring Mauri playing behind Rocchi and Goran Pandev. Pandev is the club leader in goals scored with 8.

Atalanta were held to a 2-2 draw at home last week in their match to Fiorentina at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia. The two points dropped at home leave Gigi Del Neri’s side in 8^th place of the league table with 30 points for the year. They are 1 point behind 7^th place Sampdoria and 1 point ahead of 9^th place Genoa. Just as Lazio, they have produced 1 win, 2 draws and 2 losses over their last 5 games. The list of unavailable players for the trip to Rome this week is extensive and it includes Talamonti, Costinha, Forsyth, Carrozzieri and Radovanic. Given these absences and the fact that Atalanta are on the road, Del Neri will adopt a defensive formation with only Floccari upfront at the striker position with top goal scorer Doni playing behind him in a 4-4-1-1.

This could prove to be a very tough match for Lazio. They have been extremely inconsistent all season long, especially at home where they have already managed to lose 5 times. Meanwhile, Atalanta have lost just 4 road matches this season while winning 3 and drawing 4. While the bergamaschi might not be able to pull at a victory they should at least be good enough to hold out for a draw.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Atalanta vs Fiorentina

Week 22 gets underway in Italy’s Serie A with Atalanta playing host to Fiorentina. The bergamaschi are coming into this contest off of a big win away from home last week while Fiorentina suffered a demoralizing defeat at home to AC Milan.

Atalanta are currently in 7^th place of Serie A with 29 points on the campaign. They are 4 points back of 6^th place Udinese and 1 ahead of Sampdoria. With their victory away to Parma by a score of 2-3 at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, Gigi Del Neri’s side were able to extend their unbeaten run to 3 consecutive matches. Del Neri has some problems coming into this contest as in addition to the injured Talamonti, he will be dealing with 3 suspended players with Doni headlining that list. Doni is the heart and soul of the side and currently leads the club with 8 goals. Costinha was also a late scratch from the squad list. Atalanta should go with their standard 4-4-2 with Paolucci coming on for Doni.

Fiorentina received a loud wake up call last week as they had their 4 match win streak snapped by AC Milan by a score of 0-1 at the Artemio Franchi. The result leaves Cesare Prandelli’s side in 4^th place of Serie A with 37 points and they are 4 points back of Juventus and 4 ahead of 5^th place AC Milan. The result was a big blow to club morale as they had approached it as a big test and they were unable to come through. Fiorentina did appear to have the equalizer in stoppage time only to have Kalac make an extraordinary save and that just added to their overall misery on the day. Much like Atalanta, the viola will have a huge absence of their own as Adrian Mutu, the club leader with 13 goals, is out injured after picking up a knock in a friendly match for Romania. Semioli looks set to get the start.

Morale will have a lot to do with this contest. Atalanta are on a high note following their big win away to Parma though that is tempered a bit by the loss of Doni. Meanwhile, Fiorentina not only lost at home but now they have lost their most dangerous striker. It will be an uphill battle for the visitors.

Predicition: Atalanta (2-1)

Atalanta vs Roma

An injury depleted Atalanta Bergamo return home looking to snap a bad run which has seen them win just 1 of their last 5 matches with 3 losses along the way. They will have to do it against none other than 2^nd place Roma who need the points in the worst way as well if they want to keep pace with an Inter Milan outfit that seem unbeatable these days.

Atalanta at this time are on their worst run of the season. The 1-1 draw away to Livorno in their last contest saw them drop to 8^th place in the Serie A table with 22 points, 1 back of Napoli and 1 ahead of 9^th place Sampdoria. The Bergamaschi had been in the UEFA Cup zones of the league table for most of the season but this recent string of disappointing results has them in danger of falling into the wrong half of the table. The main cause of these poor displays has been the injury situation. Manager Gigi Del Neri is missing, among others, Talamonti, Costinha, Inzaghi and Rivalta. In the case of the Argentine he is expected to miss 3 weeks. Meanwhile, Cristiano Doni, who has been their top player by far is out suspended this week. Further complicating matters is the status of De Ascentis and Muslimovic who are both considered doubtful at this time. If they can’t go, Atalanta could be missing up to 6 regular starters this week.

Roma come into this contest as healthy as they have been all season. Francesco Totti, Chilean David Pizarro and Daniele De Rossi have all been cleared to play. The fact that Atalanta are in a weakened state is music to their ears as the pressure is really on for them. Roma are on an 11 match unbeaten run and have conceded just 1 goal over their last 4 matches. Yet despite this superior form, they are are still 7 points back of Inter Milan and just 1 point ahead of Juventus. Therefore, they must win this match away to Atalanta if they hope to keep pace with the big boys. The good news is that Roma are no strangers to winning on the road. They are one of only two unbeaten teams away from home with 5 wins and 4 draws in 9 matches.

It would take a very big performance from Atalanta to pull this one out. Not only are they facing a full strength Roma outfit that is playing well, they have not played like world beaters at home this year as evidenced by their 3 wins in 7 matches. Look for Roma to take the points.

Prediction: Roma (0-1)

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