It’s another must-win affair this weekend for Roma as they prepare to welcome Atalanta to the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday evening.
Separated in the table by just one point, both sides have shown vulnerabilities so far this season but are still firmly in the hunt for a Champions League place.
Kick-off is scheduled for 20.45 CET at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Roma
Coming off their midweek win against Cremonese in the Coppa Italia, Roma look to build on their formidable home record this season of 6W, 2D, and 1L.
Jose Mourinho is expected to field a similar lineup despite an ever-growing list of absentees. Defender Evan Ndicka and midfielder Houssem Aouar are away on international duty for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) while veterans Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham are still out due to injury.
Luckily the Giallorossi welcome back defender Gianluca Mancini while Leandro Paredes participated in full training on Saturday after an injury scare midweek. Once again, they’ll count on attacking duo Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala to carry them in attack while Bryan Cristante will be forced into defensive duty.
Atalanta
La Dea have struggled outside of Bergamo this term, winning only 3 of their 9 league fixtures–with their latest occurring over two months ago in a 3-0 victory over Empoli.
Manager Gian Piero Gasperini must cope with the absence of their top scorer, Ademola Lookman, who’s also on international duty with Nigeria. The 26 year-old was in superb form in recent weeks, collecting 3 goals and 1 assist in his past four league appearances.
Atalanta will also be without veteran captain and former Roma defender Rafael Toloi. The 32 year-old has been out since November due to a femoral bicep strain and it’s uncertain when he’ll be back.
Though, another former Roma man is expected to lineup against his former side: Gianluca Scamacca. The striker returned from an adductor strain last week against Lecce and he’s expected to be the start on Sunday against his boyhood club.
Predicted Lineups
ROMA (3-5-2): Rui Patricio; Mancini, Cristante, Llorente; Kristensen, Bove, Paredes, Pellegrini, Zalewski; Dybala, Lukaku
Unavailable: Tammy Abraham, Evan Ndicka, Houssem Aouar, Chris Smalling
ATALANTA (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Pasalic, Koopmeiners; Scamacca
Unavailable: Ademola Lookman, Rafael Toloi, El Bilal Touré
