Serie A: High Flying La Dea Descend on Rome

AS Roma vs Atalanta

Another full weekend of Serie A football is on the way folks, and the action is rounded up on Monday when second placed Atalanta visit the Stadio Olimpico to take on struggling Roma.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta have won seven Serie A matches on the bounce while Roma, now managed by Claudio Ranieri, are without a victory in five, I Giallorossi are down in 12^th place and already well out of the race for the 2024/25 Scudetto.

Roma lost away to Napoli last week while Atalanta won 3-1 away to Parma and both were in Europa action in midweek, Atalanta thrashing Young Boys 6-1 while Roma fought back to earn a 2-2 draw away to Tottenham Hotspur. These are two clubs with proud traditions and serious ambitions. Atalanta are in second place and just a point behind leaders Napoli and, while Roma are in the wrong half of the table their problems could get worse as they sit precariously three points above the drop zone.

So if you’re looking for SBOTOP Serie A action head to Rome on Monday, where Atalanta have high hopes of making it a great eight. 

 

Talking Points

Roma sweating on Hermoso

I Giallorossi’s strife has not been helped by the absence of influential defender Mario Hermoso, who arrived at the Stadio Olimpico in summer after five successful seasons with Atletico Madrid. Ranieri needs leaders on the pitch and Hermoso’s experience has been sorely missed since he suffered a muscle injury in training three weeks ago. He has only played six games this season picking up a red card in his last game, a heavy defeat away to Fiorentina in October and Ranieri is keen to get the Spain international back on the grass; and Hermoso is inching closer to a return but remains doubtful for Monday .

The return of Ranieri for his third stint at the club raised a few eyebrows and he has failed to ignite the club just yet. He has brought in Mats Hummels to shore up the defence and, while the German centre back gave away a penalty against Spurs on Thursday, he made up for it with a stoppage time leveller at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Hummels is in line to start against La Dea and there could be a return for club captain Lorenzo Pellegrini who started on the bench against Tottenham, while young midfielder Nicolo Pisilli misses out due to suspension.

Summer signing Artem Dovbyk, with four goals from 12 games is yet to reach the heights he climbed at Girona, and he gone four games without scoring, last hitting the mark in a 3-2 defeat to Hellas Verona. 

 

Retegui on fire for Atalanta

When Atalanta’s star striker, Gianluca Scammaca, suffered a cruciate ligament injury in the summer, La Dea moved quickly to sign Mateo Retegui from Genoa in a 28m Euros move. He scored seven goals last season but the 25 year old Italy star has started his Atalanta career in explosive style, leading the race for the Capocannoniere with 12 goals already; and he bagged a brace, his first Champions League goals in the destruction of Young Boys this week. Retegui has struck up a fruitful partnership with former Fulham striker Ademola Lookman. The Nigerian had his breakout season in Bergamo last term and he has carried on in fine style, scoring seven goals in ten games and making three assists.

Retegui and Lookman can take huge credit for Atalanta’s impressive run of Serie A 2024 results but Gasperini has a talented squad of players to draw on. La Dea has scored more goals (34} than any other side and more assists (23) and the manager has, throughout his reign in Bergamo, instilled an attacking mentality in his players.

The latest Serie A 2024 betting odds pitch Atalanta as third favourites to win the title at a price of 6.00, behind reigning champions Inter Milan and 2023 Scudetto winners Napoli. And another win on Monday will keep them right in the mix, and maintain a brilliant run.

 

History

Roma have won 24 of the last 51 encounters with La Dea while Atalanta have won 17 and there have been ten draws. Last season this fixture ended in a 1-1 draw while Atalanta won 2-1 in Bergamo.

With six wins from six in all competitions La Dea is in scintillating form while I Giallorossi continues to struggle with one win, two draws and three defeats from the last six.

 

Betting Tip

With Roma at 2.84 and the draw at 3.09 all three results are well in play; but I think Ranieri’s men will struggle to stop La Dea’s momentum. I believe there will be goals in this huge clash and, for an alternative bet, Over 2.50 goals is priced at 1.87 and a 2-1 Atalanta win is priced at 8.29.

   

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