Lazio vs Atalanta

December 12, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Buoyed by the first away triumph in almost two months, Lazio aim to extend the good run against Atalanta and further close the gap behind Champions League positions. Orobici did well to defeat Cesena at home, but their dismal away form means they go into the match at Stadio Olimpico low on confidence.

Lazio back in business

With new coach and a number of players arriving at Stadio Olimpico in the summer, Lazio were always going to need time to start playing to their potential. But, even if the team experienced some problems in the opening exchanges, it is important to note they are still doing a lot better than last term, when they had to settle for a ninth-place finish. While the return of captain Stefano Mauri from suspension was a major boost for everyone at the club, numerous injury problems slowed down the squad rebuilding process, but Lazio seem to have finally managed to return to the right track. The 3-0 Coppa Italia triumph over Varese and away win over Parma have helped the players restore some of the lost confidence and the Biancocelesti look like they can extend the good run against out-of-sorts Atalanta. While summer signing Filip Djordjevic is back among the goals, as well as producing assists for his teammates, boss Stefano Pioli also have the courtesy of introducing a player like Miroslav Klose from the bench, and no doubt the German veteran can change the course of the game.

Stefan Radu and Lucas Biglia should be fit to play but Marco Parolo is banned and Santiago Gentiletti, Mickael Ciani, Bruno Pereirinha, Antonio Candreva, Ederson and Edson Braafheid are out injured.

Six away games without scoring

Atalanta have done fairly well this season even if they would have liked to have few more points to their tally, having taken 14 points from as many league games. And while the back line is not doing too shabby, Orobici have experienced unbelievable problems up front, scoring mere eight goals in the process. With strikers German Denis, Richmond Boakye and Rolando Bianchi scoring just three goals between them, it is perfectly clear where the problem lies. The departure of key midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura has also left a big gap to fill, so maybe team’s latest results are not that surprising. Atalanta managed to improve their home form, defeating Avelino in Coppa Italia and Cesena in the league, but poor away performances remain a major issue. Orobici have taken just three points from last six matches on the road, failing to score a single goal in the process, so it would appear this is not the perfect time to be facing revived Lazio.

Full-back Davide Zappacosta should return to the side, but Marcelo Estigarribia, Cristian Raimondi and Valerio Rosseti remain in the infirmary.

Verdict

Lazio appear to be raising their form at the moment and even with few star players missing they seem to have more than enough quality to see off travel-sick Atalanta. Orobici have little to hope for having failed to score in six successive away matches, especially since their back line cannot be trusted to stop the likes of Djordjevic, Mauri and Anderson.

Top pick: Home win   1.62 (5/8) @ SkyBet

Alternative pick 1: Atalanta not to score   2.05 (21/20) @ Coral

Alternative pick 2: Lazio to win to nil   2.62 (13/8) @ Paddy Power

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