Atalanta vs. Roma: Preview and TV Schedule

In the season so far, Atalanta have displayed the kind of form which has seen them become a mainstay of the mid-table battle since their return to Serie A in 2011/12. After losing four of their first five matches, they then appeared to pull themselves together to win their next three, including impressive victories over Udinese and Lazio however the usual inconsistencies have reared up again and in the five matches since the victory over the Biancocelesti, Atalanta have won one, drawn one and lost three, the most worrying fact being that the three losses were to Sampdoria, Livorno and Sassuolo, all sides who sit firmly below them in the table. The Nerazzurri still sit in tenth, although they are towards the upper echelons of a ruthlessly packed mid-table group, just two points from Genoa in seventh but three points above Sassuolo in 15th. When things are that tight, every point really counts for every side and Atalanta will be looking to frustrate Roma and come away with a point from the side who sit unbeaten in second place.

After an unprecedented run of ten victories from their first ten matches, Roma have come down to earth slightly, drawing their last three fixtures. This has seen them finally relinquish top spot in Serie A to Juventus, who although they have suffered defeat at the hands of Fiorentina, have won one more match and currently sit on a six match winning run since that defeat. After brushing aside the likes of Lazio, Inter and Napoli during their winning run, Roma appear to have come unstuck lately against sides who sit towards the bottom end of the table, starting with a 1-1 draw at Torino and continuing with draws against Sassuolo and Cagliari. It will be interesting to see whether the Giallorossi can become true title contenders and return to winning form or whether they will now fade away out of contention at the top of the table.

Atalanta have a number of problems in defence with Mario Yepes and Gianpaolo Bellini sidelined and question marks hanging over Guglielmo Stendardo, Lionel Scaloni and Davide Brivio. Roma will be without Vasillis Torosidis and captain Francesco Totti whilst Mehdi Benatia and Federico Balzaretti have their participation in doubt.

Out: Gianpaolo Bellini, Cristian Raimondi, Mario Yepes (injured). In doubt: Davide Brivio, Guglielmo Stendardo, Lionel Scaloni, Constantin Nica, Giuseppe De Luca, Stefano Lucchini, Luigi Giorgi.

Out: Vasillis Torosidis, Francesco Totti (injured). In doubt: Mehdi Benatia, Bogdan Lobont, Miralem Pjanic, Federico Balzaretti.

Roma: De Sanctis, Maicon, Benatia, Leandro Castan, Dodo, De Rossi, Strootman, Bradley, Ljajic, Florenzi, Gervinho