European qualification will be on the line when Roma and Atalanta renew hostilities at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday night. With only six games remaining until the end of the season, neither side can afford a slip-up here if they’re to stay relevant in the top-six race.
Como’s underwhelming defeat at Sassuolo yesterday handed Roma’s hopes of securing a first top-four Serie A finish since the 2017/18 season a major boost. Indeed, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men currently trail fourth-placed Juventus by three points and could overtake Cesc Fabregas’ side with a win against the Italian veteran’s former club.
Roma bounced back from a humiliating 5-2 loss at Inter with a dominant 3-0 home win over relegation-threatened Pisa last weekend. However, that victory has maintained an ominous trend, as the Giallorossi have alternated between winning and losing in their last four league outings. To boost their top-four quest, they must stop this run tonight.
Gasperini lost to his former side in January’s reverse fixture in Bergamo, falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat, which puts Roma at risk of suffering a second consecutive league double at the hands of Atalanta. Sitting on the periphery of the top six, four points adrift of their hosts, La Dea cannot settle for anything less if they’re to avoid the ignominy of missing out on European qualification.
Atalanta’s lofty ambitions took a hit last weekend, as they slipped to a frustrating 1-0 home loss to Juventus, surrendering a four-game unbeaten league streak in the process (W2, D2).
Roma
Last weekend’s thumping victory over Pisa extended Roma’s unbeaten run in Serie A to nine matches (W7, D2). Furthermore, they’ve now kept an eye-catching 14 league clean sheets this season, with only Como and runaway leaders Inter surpassing their impressive defensive tally.
However, Roma have often lacked that defensive stability in high-profile fixtures this term. Indeed, Gasperini’s men have registered just one shutout against current top-seven sides during the 2025/26 campaign, picking up one victory across 11 such games (D3, L7).
Atalanta’s visit paints an even bleaker picture for Roma, who have failed to win all seven meetings with La Dea since the start of the 2022/23 season (D1, L6), including four defeats in a row. However, with the last four encounters at the Olimpico producing under 2.5 goals each, this could be a decent opportunity for the Giallorossi to break their drought.
Atalanta
Despite their formidable run in this fixture, Atalanta cannot take anything for granted, as they seek their first away league win against a top-six opponent this season (D3, L1). It’s also worth noting that Raffaele Palladino’s charges have won just two of their last ten away games across all competitions (D4, L4), casting further doubt on their ability to beat Roma.
A lackluster start to this high-stakes showdown is a distinct possibility, given that none of Atalanta’s 15 away league matches this term have seen a goal scored in the opening 15 minutes. Furthermore, the visitors have blown hot and cold across their last three Serie A road trips (W1, D1, L1), with each clash featuring a goal beyond the 70th minute.
Still, Atalanta can take heart from a morale-boosting three-game unbeaten Serie A run against Roma at the Olimpico (W2, D1), with La Dea keeping a clean sheet in both wins. Another shutout could be a necessity, given that they had scored one goal or fewer in four consecutive away H2Hs before a 2-0 win in this fixture last season.
Roma’s sizable injury list features long-term absentees Artem Dovbyk, Paulo Dybala, and Evan Ferguson. In addition to Wesley Franca, who joined the attacking trio on the sidelines during the international break, Gasperini is also unable to call upon star midfielders Lorenzo Pellegrini and Manu Kone.
On the other hand, Atalanta will be without starting center-back Isak Hien and versatile forward Kamaldeen Sulemana. However, Palladino boasts ample options in attack, with Giacomo Raspadori and Gianluca Scamacca returning from injuries. Nevertheless, Nikola Krstovic is expected to lead the line.
Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Celik, Cristante, El Aynaoui, Rensch; Soule, El Shaarawy; Malen.
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; De Ketelaere, Raspadori; Krstovic.
Given the high-stakes nature of this showdown, another low-scoring meeting between Roma and Atalanta could be in store. With the hosts thriving in such environments, we wouldn’t put it past the Giallorossi to secure what would be a precious victory.
Prediction: Roma to Win
