Atalanta vs Roma Betting Tip Over 2.5 goals – 18 December 2021

Goals likely as Atalanta look to go top

Matteo Pessina / Atalanta ©IMAGO / Shutterstock 12.12.2021

ItalyAtalanta vs RomaItaly
18 December 1400hrs
Football – Italy – Serie A
Pick Over 2.5 goals 
Bookmaker Betway
Odds: 11/20  odds taken 2000 GMT, Monday 13 December

 

Atalanta have moved quietly to within three points off top spot in Serie A but know they will face another challenge when taking on a Roma team who got back to winning ways last weekend.

 

Bet at Betway

 

Atalanta Preview – Are Atalanta set to extend winning run to go top of the table?

It may have been disappointment in Europe for Atalanta last week, with a 3-2 defeat at home to Villareal ending their participation in the Champions League for another season. But they continue to motor on domestically with a sixth straight win in Serie A courtesy of the 2-1 victory away to Verona on Thursday. That run of form has propelled them into title contention as they sit just three points off current leaders and reigning champions Inter Milan.

Current positioning aside, the fact that Atalanta have beaten both Juventus and Napoli away from home in this stretch of wins indicates that they are very much a realistic contender. They will hope to be within touching distance ahead of welcoming Inter to Bergamo in the middle of January.

 

Our betting prediction
Atalanta win/Over 2.5 goals
2/1
(odds taken 2000 GMT, Monday 13 December)

Their last defeat in the league was back at the beginning of October meaning they are now unbeaten in 10 – seven of those being wins. It is the best current run in the division and means they approach Saturday’s game with maximum confidence.

Daniel Zapata has not always been prolific but the Colombian is certainly leading the charge this season. He has nine in 14 league games and 12 in all competitions. He has been ably assisted by Croatian midfielder Mario Pasalic who is already on seven. He’s well on course to get into double figures for the first time in a Serie A season.

Roma Preview – Can Mourinho lead his team to what would be a vital three points?

Jose Mourinho would have been a relieved man last week as his Roma team got back to winning ways following successive defeats to Bologna and Inter. A 2-0 win at home to Spezia was crucial in keeping them in contention for a top four finish – an objective they are currently eight points adrift of.

That gives the team from the capital little margin for error and has them up against it to get a result here even through we’re not halfway through the season.

 

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A real issue for Mourinho and his men is their form on the road. They have lost five of eight away matches in Serie A, winning just three. Incidentally they are one of only two teams who has not drawn a game on their travels. One thing Mourinho would love to improve is their defensive record when playing away – they’ve kept just two clean sheets.

This is the start of a challenging run of games for Roma who face AC Milan and Juventus in their next four matches. So it’s looking like a defining period for them and their hopes of qualifying for next year’s Champions League.

Atalanta vs Roma Betting Advice

It may be the early game on Saturday but it is arguably the most important game of the Serie A round this weekend. A win for Atalanta would see them go joint top with Inter who play later that day and will be expected to beat Salernitana but it would at least give further indication that this team are ready to mount a title challenge. For Roma another loss could well put a top four finish beyond them due to their dropped points in the first half of the season.

The fixture tends to produce goals and the last seven games average more than four goals. So we should expect plenty of entertainment.

 

Key Facts – Atalanta vs Roma Betting Tip

  • Atalanta are unbeaten in their last 10, winning their last six league games
  • Roma come into this having lost four of their last seven games in Serie A
  • There have been 30 goals in the last seven meetings between these two teams

 

I’m inclined to think this game will follow suit. Atalanta are averaging 3.35 goals per game whilst Roma are 2.65. That makes over 2.5 look a logical selection for this game.

Best Betting Odds for Atalanta vs Roma

Atalanta: 4/6 Betfred
Draw: 16/5 at Betfred
Roma: 7/2 at Betfred