Serie A: Will Lazio Halt Atalanta’s Rampage Before the New Year?

Lazio vs Atalanta

Atalanta are on top of the Serie A standings after the first 17 matchdays, and it makes us wonder if the 2024-25 campaign is their year. La Dea haven’t lost a league game since late September, and they aim to extend their unbeaten streak to 13 straight matches. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side is coming off a 3-2 victory against Empoli last Sunday, giving them a two-point lead at the top.

La Dea will face Lazio on Saturday, who have alternated wins and losses in their last five. After suffering a 6-0 beatdown at the hands of Inter Milan, the Biancocelesti notched a 2-1 win over Lecce last weekend to take the fourth spot of the table with 34 points.

The pregame SBOTOP betting odds expect a fun contest between Lazio and Atalanta at the Stadio Olimpico, and we are here to provide the match preview.

 

Talking Points

Injury blows for Lazio

Lazio head coach Marco Baroni is starting to feel the strain from a packed campaign after eking out a 2-1 victory against Lecce last time out. He said his team badly needs rest after suffering injuries to two players before the Atalanta match. Pedro and Tijjani Noslin aren’t expected to play this weekend after the former sustained a thigh injury and the latter sprained his ankle.

Pedro and Tijjani Noslin have combined for five league goals and one assist this season. Both of them are key pieces off the bench. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Loum Tchaouna will get more chances with Pedro and Noslin sidelined. Despite the absences of Pedro and Noslin, Lazio fans might feel they have enough firepower since they still have Taty Castellanos, Mattia Zaccagni, and Boulaye Dia, who have combined for 16 league goals.

Taty Castellanos put the Biancocelesti up by one goal after converting a penalty kick before halftime following a costly red card by Frederic Guilbert (handball). However, despite having the numerical advantage, Lazio conceded the equaliser from Tete Morente five minutes into the second half. Adam Marusic came off the bench and scored the matchwinner in the 87th minute, and Lazio were lucky that the crossbar blocked Mohamed Kaba’s header in stoppage time.

 

Atalanta will miss star striker

Atalanta also suffered an injury blow last time out, as Mateo Retegui was limited to only 21 minutes against Empoli due to a hamstring injury. Losing Retegui is huge for Atalanta because he leads the team (and the Capocannoniere race) with 12 league goals this season. With Retegui out, Gian Piero Gasperini will rely heavily on Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere on offence, and Nicolo Zaniolo could take Retegui’s place in the meantime.

Lookman and De Ketelaere beat Empoli, with the latter notching a brace and the former adding one before halftime. With the two leading the way, Atalanta had 16 total shots and seven shots on target. Gian Piero Gasperini could also go to a 3-4-1-2 formation (instead of his usual 3-4-2-1) with Mateo Retegui absent. The veteran tactician could feature Mario Pasalic as the extra midfielder alongside Marten de Roon and Ederson.

 

History

Atalanta have won 38 of their 112 Serie A games against Lazio (D42, L32). It is a joint record (alongside Bologna) for them against a single opponent in the Italian top-flight. La Dea haven’t lost six of their last seven Serie A away matches against the Biancocelesti (W3, D3). However, Atalanta lost their most recent away match against Lazio (3-2 on October 2023) after recording six defeats in their previous seven away league matches (W1).

Lazio and Atalanta have three wins each and two draws in their last eight Serie A matchups. Atalanta won 3-1 in their most recent game in February, with Mario Pasalic, Charles De Ketelaere (brace), and Ciro Immobile on the scoresheet.

 

Betting Tip

As mentioned, the Serie A 2024 odds predict a close fight between Lazio and Atalanta this Saturday. Atalanta have the slight edge at 2.42, while Lazio are not far behind at 2.67, and a draw is priced at 3.18 in the 1X2 market. Both teams should score goals, with the visitors likely to produce more Serie A 2024 highlights.

Other than going for our recommended bet, bettors can also go for options like Over 2.25 at 1.67, Over 2.50 at 1.89, Over 2.75 at 2.13, and Total Goal 4-6 at 3.24, with Total Goal 2-3 at 1.99 being the more conservative alternative. Furthermore, a Correct Score of 3-1 in favour of Atalanta – the result of their last league encounter – has a high 20.00 offer.

   

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