This weekend sees the first matchweek of 2018 in Serie A and the final one before the three-week break for the annual international break. The late kick-off on Saturday involves Roma and Atalanta as the latter host the former. Roma are fourth in the table with the potential to go third with a win over Atalanta, who have fallen by the wayside this term. The visitors are ninth and with their involvement in the current Europa League campaign, they will struggle to balance life in both competitions.

STATS

• After an electric start to the league season, Roma’s form is starting to decline at a fast pace. They have won just two of their last six league fixtures and picked up just one point in their last two, losing 1-0 to Juventus before drawing 1-1 with Sassuolo. They need to get back to winning ways if they are to keep pace with Napoli at the top, who they are nine points behind.
• Atalanta’s record over the last six games is actually slightly better as they have won three of them. They progressed to the Coppa Italia semi-final in their last match as they beat one of the main favourites, Napoli, 2-1. They were on the receiving end of the same scoreline in their most recent league match against Cagliari.
• Edin Dzeko is Roma’s leading scorer with eight league goals but he would have wanted more at the halfway stage of the campaign.
• With just one goal fewer, Josip Ilicic is Atalanta’s main man in front of goal and is having a very decent season.

HEAD TO HEAD

Atalanta are enjoying a good recent record against their upcoming opponents as they have beaten just once in the last six matches against Roma. In that period, they have won two for themselves whilst drawing the other three. Their last win over Roma came just over a year ago as Frank Kessié scored a 90^th-minute penalty whilst the last meeting at the beginning of this season finished 1-0 to Roma, Aleksandar Kolarov scored the only goal. In the last 10 league fixtures between the sides, both sides have scored in eight of them.

ROMA NEWS

Roma have a game-in-hand on the three teams above them in the Serie A table and a win over Atalanta would mean they not only move into third but they would also close the gap between them and Napoli to six points. Rick Karsdorp and Gregoire Defrel are both unavailable while Daniele De Rossi is a major doubt with a muscular problem.

Latest matches: AS Roma

30.12.2017	Seri	AS Roma	US Sassuolo	1:1	D
23.12.2017	Seri	Juventus Turin	AS Roma	1:0	L
20.12.2017	Copp	AS Roma	Turin FC	1:2	L
16.12.2017	Seri	AS Roma	Cagliari Calcio	1:0	W
10.12.2017	Seri	AC Chievo Verona	AS Roma	0:0	D

ATALANTA NEWS

The visitors can move as high as sixth with an unlikely win and they don’t have any absent players for the clash. With a full-strength squad, they have the best chance of taking home all three points.

Latest matches: Atalanta Bergamasca

02.01.2018	Copp	SSC Napoli	Atalanta Bergamasca	1:2	W
30.12.2017	Seri	Atalanta Bergamasca	Cagliari Calcio	1:2	L
23.12.2017	Seri	AC Milan	Atalanta Bergamasca	0:2	W
20.12.2017	Copp	Atalanta Bergamasca	US Sassuolo	2:1	W
17.12.2017	Seri	Atalanta Bergamasca	Lazio Roma	3:3	D

SUMMARY

Roma need a win to keep up with the teams above them and with Inter slipping up against Fiorentina, they must capitalise. They are expected to beat Atalanta but their opponents mustn’t be ruled out as they can also be extremely dangerous on the counter-attack. With two frail defences, it should be an entertaining match.