Lazio will host Atalanta at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday for a massive Serie A clash with top-four ramifications, with kickoff slated for 19:45 GMT.
Lazio will be returning to Serie A action after losing the Coppa Italia quarter-final against Juventus. The focus for Sarri’s men will be to retain their top-four position.
Atalanta will be looking to bounce back to winning ways after a shocking 1-0 defeat away to Sassuolo last time out.
Key Highlights
Lazio’s 4-Match Unbeaten Run
Maurizio Sarri’s men will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to five matches on the trot in Serie A. However, the focus will be on getting the win against Atalanta on Saturday to move on from the two dropped points at home to Fiorentina.
Sarri will be looking to get his side to move on from the disappointing 1-0 defeat to Juventus in the Coppa Italia quarter-final clash, which denied them the opportunity to win silverware this season.
The clash with Atalanta will have the added spice of both teams being level on 38 points on the table, with Lazio 4th and Atalanta 5th; whoever wins this clash will bolster their top-four chances and keep up with Roma in 3rd and Milan in 6th.
Atalanta Need to Bounce Back from the Loss at Sassuolo
Atalanta failed to capitalize on the fact that Lazio were not in action in Serie A last weekend. The 1-0 loss away to Sassuolo cost them the chance to move into 4th, and leapfrog Lazio, ahead of Saturday’s clash.
Gian Piero Gasperini and his men will keep their eyes on leapfrogging Lazio with victory on Saturday. A win will also serve as a statement of their intent when it comes to fighting for the top-four positions in Serie A.
Atalanta will also be looking to address their inconsistency in the league. They have won three matches, drawn once, and lost once in their last 5 assignments in the league. Consistency will help them move up the table.
Injury Report
Lazio
Maurizio Sarri will be without right winger Luka Romero. The 18-year-old is ruled out with an indirect card suspension. He has missed one match for Atalanta, and he is expected to make his comeback as of February 20th.
Lazio will also be without left winger Diego González. The 20-year-old is unavailable for selection because he was called up to the national team on January 31st. No return date has been set for his return, which rules him out of this weekend’s clash with Atalanta.
Atalanta
Gasperini will be without right-back Davide Zappacosta. The 30-year-old is sidelined with a biceps femoris muscle injury since January 15th. The fullback has missed 6 matches for Atalanta this season. No return date has been set for Zappacosta.
Atalanta will also be without center-back José Luis Palomino for the clash against Lazio. The 33-year-old defender is also nursing a biceps femoris muscle injury. He has been sidelined since January 22nd. He has missed 6 matches for Atalanta so far this season and is expected to be back fit by February 24th.
Possible Lineups
Lazio
L. Maximiano; A. Marusic, A. Ramagnoli, Patric, M. Lazzari; L. Alberto, D. Cataldi, M. Vecino; M. Zaccagni, C. Immobile, F. Anderson
Atalanta
J. Musso; G. Scalvini, B. Djimsiti, R. Toloi; J. Boga, M. de Roon, Ederson, T. Koopmeiners, H. Hateboer; A.. Lookman, R. Hojlund
Prediction
Lazio will seek to impose their possession-based and pressing style of football. They will dominate the ball and set the tempo from their passing.
Atalanta will also look to be proactive, press from the front, and put pressure on Lazio.
Lazio will have enough to win the Serie A tie and get the 3 points they need to retain their top-four status.
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