Thursday’s hosts, Roma, are in serious danger of missing out on a top six finish in the Italian top flight following some very average displays and results from Paulo Fonseca’s men who now sit in 7th place and four points adrift of Lazio.
Three defeats within their last five matches have seen Roma slump to losses against Parma, Napoli and most disappointing of all, a 3-1 loss away from home at Torino.
While a 2-2 draw with Sassuolo and a 1-0 home win over Bologna are their other results during this disappointing five-match period.
After Roma’s capitulation against Torino, Fonseca will be demanding a response from his side who have produced a worrying wobble of late including losing two of their last four matches at their Stadio Olimpico, so perhaps the goals market is the best option here.
The hosts now need a result here against Atalanta to stay in touch with the top six and they’ve failed to score in just two of their 16 home matches to date this season.
Roma will be without defensive pair, Kumbulla and Smalling, midfielder Diawara and forward, El Shaarawy.
Atalanta will make their way to Rome seeking a sixth straight win in Serie A as the visitors have produced some impressive displays in recent weeks which has helped lift them up into 3rd place and just two points behind AC Milan.
Recent victories over Spezia, Hellas Verona, Udinese, Fiorentina and most impressive of all, a 1-0 home win over Juventus, will give the visitors plenty of confidence ahead of this important midweek clash at the Stadio Olimpico.
Atalanta Bergamo may well fancy their chances of extending their winning streak on Thursday evening.
Results away from home have also been solid and consistent for this Atalanta outfit who have suffered just two defeats on the road all season, while losing just once in their last 12 matches on the road.
Five wins out of their last six games on their travels suggest Atalanta are building impressive momentum on the road having collected wins at AC Milan, Cagliari, Sampdoria, Hellas Verona and Fiorentina respectively.
Perhaps just as important is that Atalanta manager, Gian Gasperini, has an almost clean bill of health for his side with defender, Hateboer, the only expected absentee.
Roma are wobbling right now while Atalanta are in confident mood.