These two sides locked horns in midweek for a Copa Italia tie which the hosts Atalanta won 3-2. Attention for both clubs now turns back to Serie A, where Atalanta sit 2pts and two places above Lazio.
There haven’t been many clean sheets in recent matches between these two Italian stalwarts. Both teams have scored in five of the duo’s last six encounters in league and cup.
Atalanta are unbeaten in their last four games against Lazio and will be hoping to extend that run on Sunday.
The performances of both Atalanta and Lazio in recent weeks points towards both teams scoring this weekend. The hosts have only kept two clean sheets in their last six attempts and the same can be said for this weekend’s opponents.
Both teams have scored in four of Atalanta’s and four of Lazio’s last six outings, so both teams arrive in decent goalscoring form. However, under 2.5 goals have been produced in two of Atalanta’s last three league games, so we might not be treated to the same goal-fest that these two sides provided in midweek.
Both side’s top goal scorers are fit and ready to play, Muriel has scored 11 league goals for Atalanta and Immobile has netted 13 for Lazio.
Each side’s key creators are also available to play, Llccic and Milinkovic-Savic both have 5 assists each in Serie A this season.
The home side will be without Robin Gosens due to suspension, while Hans Hateboer and Mario Pasalic look set to miss out through injury. Lazio won’t be able to call upon Luiz Felip who has an ankle injury, Thomas Strakosha who has a thigh strain or Danilo Cataldi who is also suffering from a muscle injury.
Just like in midweek when these two sides clashed, Sunday’s game is set to be a close and competitive affair. However, not as many goals are expected this weekend as both sides will play more carefully now points are at stake.
All of the stats point towards both teams scoring on Sunday and recent history suggests that Atalanta will avoid defeat. Both teams have performed to a very similar standard this season and could be set to play out a 1-1 draw this weekend.