Separated by just one point in the Serie A standings, Roma and Atalanta BC are both trailing behind Italy's top four ahead of their Sunday night clash in the capital.
The teams convene at Stadio Olimpico having both progressed to the Coppa Italia quarter-finals in midweek, though it took a late escape for the Giallorossi to squeeze past Serie B opposition.
Match preview
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Entering the Coppa Italia at its last-16 stage, Roma hosted Cremonese on Wednesday evening, not only aiming to book a quarter-final clash with city rivals Lazio but also seeking a slice of revenge for last year's cup defeat to the Grigiorossi.
Heading into the final 15 minutes, Jose Mourinho's side trailed 1-0 and were staring at another embarrassing exit, but first-choice strike duo Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala both emerged from the bench to score late goals and save Roma's skin.
The Giallorossi therefore made a successful start to the new year, after their 1-0 league defeat to Juventus last Saturday - which continued a string of failures against other top teams - saw them end 2023 on a down note.
Although they are into the latter stages of both the Coppa and Europa League, a deficit must be made up in order to secure an elusive top-four spot in Serie A: Roma sit seventh in the standings, just behind Fiorentina, Bologna and their next opponents.
It has been a familiar tale for the capital club, as they have lost two of their last three league outings - to Bologna and Juve - and all of their four most recent defeats were suffered away from Rome. In their last seven Serie A home matches, though, Roma have earned no less than 19 points and conceded only three goals.
After winning eight straight games against Atalanta at Stadio Olimpico between 2005 and 2014, the Giallorossi have recorded just one home win over the Bergamo club since; so they will be keen to defy that trend and produce the three points that would see them surpass La Dea in the standings.
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As one of the few teams to consistently stand firm against Roma in the Eternal City, Atalanta have won five of their last eight league games against Sunday's hosts - as many victories as they managed in 22 previous meetings.
La Dea also lead their capital-city counterparts by one point following a 1-0 win over Lecce in their final fixture of 2023 - just before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations, Ademola Lookman signed off with the winner.
Four days later, Gian Piero Gasperini's men safely navigated their way past Sassuolo to set up a Coppa Italia quarter-final tie with Lombardy rivals AC Milan next week, with Milan loanee Charles De Ketelaere striking twice in a 3-1 win to book his return to San Siro.
Like Roma, Atalanta have progressed in Europe and the cup, but they are still sitting outside Serie A's top four despite a recent upturn in fortunes, which has seen them win three of their last four league matches.
Having lost their last two away games without scoring, though, the Bergamaschi must now overcome Lookman's loss and find a way to beat both Roma and Milan in the space of a few days.
Team News
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After Roma rotated their squad for Wednesday's cup tie amid a busy fixture list - Serie A has not scheduled a winter break this year - Jose Mourinho will revert to a more familiar starting XI this weekend.
Paulo Dybala and top goalscorer Romelu Lukaku, who has eight Serie A strikes to his name this season, are set to be reunited up front following their match-winning cameos in midweek; Andrea Belotti will be demoted to the bench.
Although Houssem Aouar and Evan Ndicka have both left for the Africa Cup of Nations, long-term absentee Marash Kumbulla could be back on the bench after an eight-month layoff. However, English pair Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham remain sidelined.
Atalanta, meanwhile, have seen leading scorer Ademola Lookman join Nigeria's quest for continental glory in the Ivory Coast, and fellow forward El Bilal Toure is still on the road to recovery from a serious thigh injury. Hans Hateboer and Rafael Toloi are also unavailable.
In Lookman's absence, Roma youth product Gianluca Scamacca should start, aiming to build on reaching five Serie A goals in fewer minutes than any other player this season (590).
Gian Piero Gasperini is sure to make several other changes following his side's midweek Coppa Italia contest, such as Marco Carnesecchi replacing former first choice Juan Musso in goal. Recently arrived from Hellas Verona, Swedish centre-back Isak Hien could earn his first minutes in a Nerazzurri shirt.
Roma possible starting lineup:
Patricio; Mancini, Cristante, Llorente; Kristensen, Bove, Paredes, Pellegrini, Zalewski; Dybala, Lukaku
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners, De Ketelaere; Scamacca
We say: Roma 1-1 Atalanta BC
They may not be thrilling to watch, but Roma can certainly grind out results on home turf. Atalanta have not travelled so well this term, but given their improved form, they can hold out for the point that would keep them above their hosts in the table.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
