Overview
The Serie A schedule on Sunday concludes with a critical battle between Atalanta and Juventus. Both teams are on the outskirts of the title race and in danger of falling too far behind first-place Inter Milan.
However, they are also separated by just two points for the fourth and final Champions League spot, giving this match huge implications in the battle for next season’s European spots.
Last Game Records
These teams met for the first time this season back in November when Atalanta traveled to Torin and beat Juventus 1-0.
More recently, Juventus is unbeaten in its last four matches, including a 2-0 win over Hellas Verona in the first game back from the international break last weekend.
Meanwhile, Atalanta hasn’t won a Serie A match since January 9. In La Dea’s first match after the international break, Atalanta lost 2-1 to Cagliari.
It’s also worth noting that both teams played a Coppa Italia match on Thursday, making this a quick turnaround for both sides.
Matchup Information
- 2:45 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 13, 2022
- Bergamo, Italy
- Gewiss Stadium
Atalanta vs Juventus Betting Analysis
Atalanta Betting Analysis
After going on an incredible run for much of September, October, and November, Atalanta has fallen on hard times since the middle of December.
They have just one win over their last six Serie-A matches, settling for three scoreless draws during that span. The international break did little to cure their ills, as Atalanta lost last weekend against a Cagliari squad that’s far below them in the Serie A table.
On paper, Atalanta should have one of the best attacks in Italy. Duvan Zapata and Mario Pasalic together have combined for 17 goals in 23 matches, with three other players chipping in at least three goals each this season.
However, Zapata is currently hurt, and if you take away a 6-2 win over Udinese, the goals have dried up, with Atalanta managing just two goals in its last five matches dating back to the middle of December.
On the bright side, Atalanta hasn’t fallen apart defensively despite the club’s trouble finding the back of the net. After all, they have kept three clean sheets in their last five matches, giving up just four total goals during that stretch. Scoreless draws against Lazio and Inter Milan last month are nothing to scoff at, and giving up 28 goals in 23 Serie A matches is more than respectable for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side.
Juventus Betting Analysis
One year after their streak of Serie A championships ended, Juventus is still not back at the top. That’s why they are only fourth in Serie A, just one point ahead of Atalanta.
However, things appear to be moving in the right direction for the Italian giants, who are unbeaten in their last 10 Serie A matches, dating back to their loss to Atalanta earlier this season.
Of course, without Cristiano Ronaldo leading the way, Juventus only ranks 11th in Serie A in goals scored. Paulo Dybala has become the team’s leading scorer with seven goals in league games. There are also six other players with at least three goals this season, including American Weston McKennie and five goals from Alvaro Morata.
On the other side, Juventus remains strong defensively, conceding the third-fewest goals in Serie A to this point in the season. The center-back pairing of Giorgio Chiellini and Matthijs de Ligt is among the best in Europe, although Chiellini is currently out of action due to an injury. Nevertheless, Juventus has kept a clean sheet in three straight Serie A matches.
Team Updates
As mentioned, Chiellini will be out for Sunday’s match and isn’t expected back until late March. Daniele Rugani replaced him in last week’s match with Hellas Verona and is likely to start beside de Ligt at center-back. Left-back Alex Sandro is also questionable after missing last week’s game because of COVID-19.
For Atalanta, Zapata is sidelined with an injury. Aleksey Miranchuk and Josip Ilicic, two more attacking players, have also picked up an injury recently and won’t be available this weekend. Left-back Giuseppe Pezzella is also questionable because of back trouble.
Moreover, goalie Juan Musso and center-back Rafael Toloi are both serving a red-card suspension.
- Atalanta has kept a clean sheet in four of its last six matches across all competitions.
- Atalanta has failed to score in three of its last six matches across all competitions.
- Juventus has kept a clean sheet in five of its last nine matches across all competitions.
- Juventus has scored multiple goals in six of its last ten matches across all competitions.
Atalanta vs Juventus Betting Preview
The goals have started to dry up for the Atalanta attack recently. It will be difficult to change that against one of the best defensive teams in Serie A, even if Juventus will be playing without Chiellini. With Atalanta playing without Zapata and a couple of other capable attacking players, the challenge to score goals becomes even greater.
On the other side, Juventus appears to be in a much better place right now. Even without Chiellini, they have a solid backline that doesn’t give away goals easily. Also, despite not having a world-class goalscorer, Juventus has enough capable attacking players to get something done on the offensive end.
Atalanta vs Juventus Betting Prediction
The betting news for this match has tight odds with Juventus having a moneyline of +150 and Atalanta having a moneyline of +170, making them a slight underdog at home. The moneyline for a draw is set at +220, making it the most lucrative option.
Given the missing pieces for Atalanta and their recent troubles scoring goals, a scoreless draw might be the best-case scenario for Atalanta. The smart money is on Juventus finding the back of the net in a 1-0 or possibly 2-0 win.
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