Two of Serie A's top six do battle in Bergamo on Sunday evening, as Atalanta BC welcome Lazio to the Gewiss Stadium.
Separated by three points and three places after the first 10 rounds, the teams convene for a contest between Calcio's tightest defences - quite a turnaround for clubs long lauded for their attacking approach.
Match preview
© Reuters
Still unbeaten this season, following last week's win over Sassuolo, Atalanta have been reborn as possible Scudetto contenders, with the emphasis just as much on their rearguard resolve as on a clinical nature in attack.
Wily coach Gian Piero Gasperini has led his side to second spot, trailing leaders Napoli by just two points, and their opponents' opening goal last Saturday was just the sixth they have conceded so far.
After Sassuolo stole in front, goals from Mario Pasalic and Ademola Lookman either side of the break put La Dea on the road to a seventh win from 10 league fixtures, with Lookman scoring in three consecutive matches for the first time in his top-flight career.
A series of absences among their defensive department has not perturbed Atalanta to date, with first-choice goalkeeper Juan Musso joining several centre-backs on the sidelines.
Gasperini has given youth its chance, as Italy Under-21 defenders Caleb Okoli and Giorgio Scalvini have featured in his team's charge towards the top - a turn of events which defies pre-season expectations.
As they now prepare for one of their toughest tests yet, the Bergamaschi host Lazio having lost just one of their last 10 matches against the capital city side in Serie A. The teams drew both league meetings last season, and now seem set to tussle for a top-four finish in June.
© Reuters
Lazio are unbeaten in their last two visits to Bergamo, and on Sunday will be aiming to go three games unbeaten there for the first time since 2007.
Given recent events, Maurizio Sarri's men will have every chance of doing so - and perhaps even ending their hosts' undefeated streak in the process - as they have won three of their last four league matches without conceding a single goal.
Remarkably, the Aquile have now kept a clean sheet in their last five Serie A games all told, and could go six without conceding for only the second time in their history, following last week's stalemate with fellow form side Udinese.
They had scored a total of 12 goals in their three previous games - also finding the net twice in Europe - so Sarri will expect his well-oiled attacking machine to click back into gear this weekend.
Lazio are far from certain of progress in the Europa League, as one of four teams locked on the same number of points in finely-poised Group F, which resumes next Thursday. Yet, expectations are creeping ever higher in the capital - particularly with a rejuvenated Roma throwing down the gauntlet.
Breaching Serie A's second-toughest defence, though, will prove no mean feat, as star striker Ciro Immobile has been ruled out of action until 2023.
Team News
© Reuters
Since Ciro Immobile joined Lazio in 2016, the Aquile's winning percentage cuts in half when he is unavailable to play (dropping to 27%), and they will have to cope without their captain on Sunday.
The Italy striker is set to miss at least seven matches due to a hamstring injury, so either Felipe Anderson or Pedro will be forced into action as a 'false nine'.
Maurizio Sarri should have the rest of his squad available, which leaves him facing a selection dilemma in midfield, where Matias Vecino and Danilo Cataldi fight it out with Luis Alberto and Toma Basic to partner chief creator Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Atalanta, meanwhile, still have the banned Jose Luis Palomino and injured skipper Rafael Toloi missing from their defence, with wing-back Davide Zappacosta joining them on the sidelines once again.
Berat Djimsiti was back on the bench last week, but Giorgio Scalvini and Caleb Okoli could keep their places alongside Merih Demiral in central defence.
In even better news for Gian Piero Gasperini, goalkeeper Juan Musso and centre-forward Duvan Zapata return - the latter had been kept out for several weeks by a thigh injury. He should start on the bench, while Colombian compatriot Luis Muriel partners Ademola Lookman up front.
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Sportiello; Scalvini, Demiral, Okoli; Hateboer, De Roon, Koopmeiners, Soppy; Pasalic; Lookman, Muriel
Lazio possible starting lineup:
Provedel; Lazzari, Patric, Romagnoli, Marusic; Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi, Vecino; Pedro, Anderson, Zaccagni
We say: Atalanta BC 1-1 Lazio
A third straight draw between these sides seems the likeliest outcome, as neither gives much away at the back and they are well-matched in other areas. A fascinating tactical battle between 'Gasp' and Sarri is set to ensue, and fine details could determine the result.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
