Lazio vs Atalanta
Italy – Serie A
Date: Saturday, 19 October 2019
Kick-off at 14:00 UK / 15:00 CET
Venue: Stadio Olimpico (Rome).
Lazio vs Atalanta Match preview
Early Saturday kick-off in Serie A pits two teams against each other in what could be the start of a 6-pointer in the battle for the Champions League, featuring side in the 6th and 3rd in the table.
Lazio came into the match on a run of three home games unbeaten, keeping clean sheets in each of the last 2. They have taken eight points from 18 of their last 6 matches.
I Biancocelesti shared the points in their last league match away to Bologna, in a 4 goal thriller. The final score of the match was 2-2.
their opponents on Saturday, Atalanta, came into the game on a run of five games unbeaten. They have taken 13 points from 18 of their last 6 matches.
La Dea won their last league match, at home to Lecce, thanks to goals Duván Zapata, Papu Gómez and Robin Gosens. The final score of the match was 3-1.
Atalanta will need to look out for Ciro Immobile. The Lazio center-forward 29-year-old sitting in the top Serie A scoring charts this season with 7 goals.
They will expect no Duván Zapata will not hit them too hard, which has been absent for at least 3 weeks. 28-year-old center-forward just behind Immobile, with six league goals this season.
News Team
Lazio
Lucas Leiva, who was sent off in a 2-2 draw against Bologna last time, is suspended and will likely be replaced by Marco Parolo.
Elsewhere Simone Inzaghi has no injury worries to contend and despite dropping points last time will remain with much the same lineup.
Atalanta
Atalanta has been dealt a blow by the fact that the scorer Duvan Zapata has returned from international duty with Colombia with an injury.
The striker will be replaced by compatriot Luis Muriel, who has become a very effective weapon off the bench for now.
In other places the team is likely to remain unchanged from the 3-1 win over Lecce, so Timothy Castagne and Simon Kjaer should keep their place in the side.
Lazio vs Atalanta Prediction
This match takes place after the International break which saw some of the key figures in each side called to duty. Although this keeps players on their toes, it also can lead to fatigue and injury, outlined by Atalanta Duvan Zapata.
On-form striker will be available for the match due to an adductor strain that was picked up while playing for Colombia this past week. Despite heavy losses, Gasperini has enough firepower at the top to continue the display right in front of goal with the likes of Luis Muriel, Papu Gomez, and Josip Ilicic.
Instead, Lucas Leiva will be available to be selected as a result of the suspension; Marco Parolo measures seek to fill the gap.
Apart from these two players, both teams should be at full strength, ready to play their style of attack-minded football and fight. As shown in the first seven games, they have changed their opportunities and focused but problems arise with this because they get caught defensively. This is why this clash is set to be an exciting one, set to bring a lot of action.
An interesting fact: the Biancocelesti will be happy to return to the Stadio Olimpico where they only lost three times against the Nerazzurri since 2001.
Prediction: Lazio 2-2 Atalanta
