Atalanta v Roma

Atalanta vs Roma Preview

Fifth placed Atalanta will play host to sixth placed Roma at their Gewiss Stadium in Sunday night's Serie A encounter which is being termed by many as a Champions League showdown with both sides level on 60 points apiece heading into this vital clash as Atalanta come into this fixture on the back of a 2-1 win away from home at Salernitana, while Roma gained a point in a 1-1 draw at home with Juventus, so both teams will feel confident about their chances.

Atalanta will be brimming with confidence as the hosts have registered wins in each of their last three games in the Italian top flight which came by way of victories against the likes of Monza, Empoli and Salernitana, as the hosts made the most of these fixtures against lower half opposition and collecting maximum points in the process.

Sunday evening's hosts had previously stumbled to just one win in their preceding seven games overall in Serie A which had threatened their position in the top five of the Serie A table and more importantly, a financially lucrative place in next season's Champions League.

However, all three points against Roma would see Gian Piero Gasperini's side take a huge step towards sealing a Champions League spot and having won eight out of their last 10 home games, Atalanta look in good shape to achieve a positive result here.

Roma continue to produce solid results in the domestic top flight and although the visitors have been held to two draws on the trot in recent games with Napoli and Juventus, they have at least avoided defeat and therefore remain firmly in the race for a possible top five finish in Serie A.

Results overall show Roma have suffered just the one defeat within their previous 11 games in the domestic top flight which came in the shape of a heavy 3-1 loss at home to fourth placed Bologna but Daniele De Rossi's side have also collected six wins within these 11 games, three of which have been achieved on the road.

Away wins at Frosinone, Monza and Udinese have also been against lower half opposition in the Serie A table as Roma have made hay while the sun shines so to speak, but the visitors are expected to face a much tougher test at the Gewiss Stadium on Sunday night.

Roma will also be encouraged by their seven-match unbeaten sequence on their travels as well, heading into this encounter.

Atalanta v Roma Verdict

Both Atalanta and Roma will fancy their chances of producing what could prove to be a critical win in their respective pursuits of a Champions League spot but with home advantage along with winning two of the last three meetings, Atalanta look to hold a slight edge here.

Therefore, our main bet will be Atalanta win @ 2.00

Other side bets worth considering:

Atalanta win & Under 2.5 goals @ 4.75

Correct Score: Atalanta 2-0 @ 9.50