Atalanta vs Roma: Betting Odds & Prediction
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Atalanta and Roma meet in a huge clash in the quest for Champions League football on Sunday.
The two sides are level on points but the hosts' superior goal difference leaves them just above their opponents in fifth. With Italy receiving five qualification places for next season's Champions League, the result this weekend will likely prove vital in determining who occupies the final slot.
Kick-off is set for 7:45pm UK time.
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Atalanta
The hosts are now unbeaten in their last six in all competitions following a 3-0 home win over Marseille in midweek. The result saw Atalanta progress to the Europa League final, where they will face a Bayer Leverkusen side who dumped out Roma on the same night in Germany.
Gian Piero Gasperini's side have also won their last three in Serie A to overtake Roma in fifth. Due to Italy's high placement in the UEFA co-efficient rankings, the position will be enough to see them qualify for the Champions League next season. They must keep Daniele De Rossi's Roma at bay first, however.
Boasting the sixth-best home record in Serie A, Atalanta have won four of their last six at the Gewiss Stadium, keeping three clean sheets in the process. Only Bologna, Napoli and champions Inter Milan have left with three points this season.
Not only are they the third-highest scorers in Serie A, but only four sides have conceded fewer home goals than Gasperini's men so far.
Roma
Despite boasting the third-best home record in the division, Roma only have the eighth-best tally in away fixtures so far. Nevertheless, they have not tasted defeat on the road in seven matches on the road, since a 3-1 defeat to AC Milan in January.
De Rossi's men will have to pick themselves up quickly from Thursday's disappointing result in Leverkusen if they are to continue that run this weekend, though. Conceding goals has been a problem for them on their travels, where they've kept just three clean sheets all season. They have also conceded the joint-highest amounts of goals out of the top seven sides.
Prediction
Atalanta are on a roll and will only be boosted by their success in Europe on Thursday night. They have also been superb at home this season and can be expected to secure three vital points against a leaky Roma defence this weekend.