Atalanta will travel to Olimpico Rome this Saturday to face 4th placed Lazio in Serie A. Eleven straight league wins took Atalanta to the top of the table in Serie A, with a two points cushion ahead of Napoli. With their sights set on ending the year as Italy’s top team, they’ll look to maintain momentum in this fixture.
On the other hand, Lazio bounced back impressively from a humbling 6-0 defeat to Inter by clinching a dramatic 2-1 win against Lecce last weekend. The visitors will be determined to solidify their ambitions of a top-four finish and likely make a strong statement in this encounter. Let’s go into the analysis of this matchup and offer insightful predictions.
Lazio-Atalanta Head-to-Head Analysis
There has been no love lost between these two Italian Serie A teams, especially for Genoa, who have been on the brunt of Napoli’s dominance in the last few years. Despite standing tall last season, history hasn’t exactly been kind to Genoa. Know more by reading what comes next.
| General Details | Lazio Lineup (Predicted) | Atalanta Lineup (Predicted) |
|---|---|---|
| Date: 28/12/2024 Time: 20:45 Stadium: Stadio Olimpico Where to watch: Supersport 204, StarTimes App, DStv Now, GOtv | Christos Mandas Adam Marušić Samuel Gigot Patric Gabarrón Luca Pellegrini Nicolò Rovella Mattéo Guendouzi Loum Tchaouna Pedro Rodríguez Benjamin Noslin Valentín Castellanos | Marco Carnesecchi Berat Djimsiti Isak Hien Sead Kolašinac Raoul Bellanova Éderson José dos Santos Marten de Roon Matteo Ruggeri Charles De Ketelaere Ademola Lookman Mateo Retegui |
Historic Performances
We start our analysis by considering what has played out between them in their past meetings. This history will set the pace for looking ahead to what the weekend’s result could look like.
Recent Encounters
The head-to-head record from the last five encounters between Lazio and Atalanta across all competitions is a fiercely contested rivalry. Both sides have claimed two victories each, with one match ending in a draw. This shows the nature of an evenly contested affair of this fixture.
Their most recent clash saw Atalanta secure a commanding 3-1 home win, which will surely boost La Dea’s confidence ahead of this game. Meanwhile, Lazio will be determined to turn the tables and exact revenge for that defeat.
Key Factors Influencing the Match
After checking what the records say about their previous meetings, let’s look at how they are both faring in their recent games this season and key players. This will provide us with patterns to make our predictions.
Previous Match
Lazio are looking to regain momentum after a mixed run of results. Following two wins over Napoli and a Europa League triumph against Ajax, they suffered a crushing 6-0 defeat to the reigning champions at the Stadio Olimpico.
Despite this setback, they bounced back with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lecce last weekend. However, defensive fragility has emerged as a concern, with the Biancocelesti conceding ten goals in their last four league matches, equal to their total from the previous ten.
Despite this, Lazio remain in Serie A’s top four, on course for a Europa League last-16 spot. They have already secured a place in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals as well.
Meanwhile, Atalanta sits atop the Serie A table with a two-point lead over Napoli, boasting 12 wins in their last 13 matches. Notably, they’ve won their previous eleven Serie A matches. Their recent 3-2 victory against Empoli showcased their attacking prowess and resilience, reinforcing their title credentials.
Players
Valentín Castellanos is Lazio’s key player to watch in this clash. The Argentine striker has contributed eight goals and five assists in 20 appearances this season. He combined clinical finishing with relentless off-the-ball work. His impact is undeniable, as Lazio’s win rate rises from 20% without him to 55% with him.
Meanwhile, Samuel Gigot and Mario Gila are fit again, but Matias Vecino remains sidelined until next month. Boulaye Dia and Alessio Romagnoli could also feature to further strengthen Lazio’s lineup.
Ademola Lookman stands out as a game-changer for Atalanta, tallying an impressive 15 goal involvements in 16 matches. The latest African footballer of the year will aim to exploit Lazio’s vulnerable defense.
However, Atalanta will miss captain Marten De Roon due to suspension. Ederson may pair with Mario Pasalic or Marco Brescianini in midfield. Giorgio Scalvini and Gianluca Scamacca remain injured, though Matteo Ruggeri is expected to return. Atalanta’s attack, led by Lookman and Mateo Retegui, remains a potent threat.
Home Advantage
The Biancocelesti have established themselves as a force at the Stadio Olimpico, securing an impressive record of six wins, one draw, and just one loss on home turf. This stronghold could play a pivotal role in their upcoming clash. However, an in-form Atalanta side will challenge their resolve.
Atalanta have proven their mettle on the road this season, boasting an equally remarkable away record of six wins, one draw, and two defeats.
Betting Tips
After pinpointing the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, here are our betting tips for Nigerian Bettors for the upcoming Lazio vs. Atalanta match:
Betting Odds
According to recent updates from several bookies, these are their projected chances for a win, draw, or loss:
Lazio to Win – 2.80 | Draw – 3.30 | Atalanta to Win – 2.45
Their odds on bookies show slight disparity between the two sides but slightly favored the league leaders Atalanta, to triumph. A draw possibility stands at 30%. However, Atalanta’s brilliant 11 straight Serie A victories give them significant momentum to collect another three points on Saturday.
Final Thoughts on the Match
Both teams are in great form, but Atalanta’s excellent winning streak and solid away performances give them a slight edge in this matchup. Their recent head-to-head triumph over Lazio further strengthens their case as favorites. Remember to gamble responsibly, and visit our site often for more expert insights and betting tips like this.
Samuel Okunsolawo is an iGaming expert with over six years of experience in content writing. His passion for simplifying complex concepts makes his articles accessible and useful for beginners and experts alike. With a focus on sports betting trends and reliable betting sites, Samuel’s articles are an excellent resource for those seeking guidance and staying up to date in the world of iGaming.