Serie A Preview: Roma - Atalanta

Posted Friday, April 09, 2010 by Goal.com

Claudio Ranieri's side should be confident of winning this game with ease.....
Kick Off: Sunday, April 11, 2010, 15:00 CET.
Stadio Olimpico, Rome.

Brimming With Confidence

Roma are in tremendous form in Serie A at the moment as they have won their last four games. Last weekend the Giallorossi defeated Bari 1-0 away from home to keep the pressure on league leaders Inter.

At the moment Roma are second in the league standings with 65 points from 32 matches, just a single point behind Inter. Two weeks back Roma defeated Jose Mourinho's side 2-1 and they will be confident of inflicting a defeat on third-from-bottom Atalanta on Sunday afternoon.

Survival Struggle Goes On

Atalanta have been improving in recent times and continued to do so last weekend too as they defeated Siena 2-0 at home. Those three points kept the Nerazzurri third from bottom in Serie A with 31 points from 32 matches, just three points behind Lazio, who are one place above them.

However, Atalanta have an abysmal away record as they have won just twice and lost eleven league games on their travels. Going to Rome and coming back with all three points is a bit too much to ask of them. Even a draw will be considered a huge achievement.

FORM GUIDE

Roma

April 3 v Bari (A) - WON 1-0 (Serie A)

March 28 v Livorno (A) - DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

March 24 v Sampdoria (H) - WON 2-1 (Serie A)
March 21 v Parma (H) - DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

March 14 v Lazio (A) - WON 2-0 (Serie A)

Atalanta

April 3 v Siena (H) - WON 2-0 (Serie A)

March 28 v Juventus (A) - LOST 2-1 (Serie A)

March 24 v Cagliari (H) - WON 3-1 (Serie A)

March 21 v Livorno (H) - WON 3-0 (Serie A)

March 14 v Parma (A) - LOST 1-0 (Serie A)

TEAM NEWS

Roma

Coach Claudio Ranieri will have a full-strength side to choose his players from but Vucinic appears to have picked up a minor knock.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Julio Sergio, Cassetti, Burdisso, Juan, Riise; Pizarro, De Rossi; Taddei, Totti, Vucinic; Toni

Atalanta

Barreto, Zanetti, Talamonti, Bellini, Chevanton and Garics are unavailable for the trip to Rome while Guarente and Peluso are suspended.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Consigli, Capelli, Bianco, Pellegrino, Manfredini; Ferreira Pinto, Padoin, De Ascentis, Valdes; Tiribocchi, Amoruso

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mirko Vucinic (Roma)

Vucinic scored the winner against Bari last weekend and he will again be a vital player for the home side on Sunday afternoon. The Montenegrin international striker has been one of the best players for the Romans this season and he will again be playing a key role this weekend.

Thomas Manfredini (Atalanta)

Manfredini was a huge presence for Atalanta in defence against Siena last weekend and also provided the assist for Ferreira Pinto. Manfredini kept out the Siena attacking players and the Atalanta defender will be expected to do the same against Roma on Sunday.

PREDICTION

Roma have the momentum and they should comfortably defeat Atalanta on Sunday afternoon.

Roma 3-0 Atalanta