Sunday, at 19:30, Atalanta has a match with Sassuolo in the 38th Serie A, in which the bergamot band could achieve unforgettable performance: qualification in the UEFA Champions League. After a dream season, the most offensive team in Italy has the chance to secure its place on the podium in case of success without being dependent on the indirect results.
Odds reflect that Atalanta has carefully prepared this duel. Even without the services of Hateboer, Toloi and Varnier, the hosts will be great favorites to win, in front of a modest band that comes after a good result. Last season, Sassuolo drew home with AS Roma (0-0), when Atalanta “stole” a point of Juventus champion, in a draw in Turin (1-1).
Atalanta is third in Italy (goal 74-45), with the best attack in the country, being equal points with Inter (4th place) and one point in front of AC Milan (5th place). So the Top 4 fight is very well balanced at the end of the championship, and Atalanta has a favorable framework for joining UCL. Sassuolo is only 10th (52-57 golaver) and has only one victory in the last five stages. With only four successes in the 18 games this season, guests have little chance of surprise.
The motivation is very important and Atalanta has played at a high level lately with victories at Udinese (2-0), Lazio (1-3) and Genoa (2-1), but also with draws at Juve. The only failure in the last two months came in the final of the Italian Cup (0-2 with Lazio), while the results of the bergamas were impeccable and the last defeat in the championship was suffered in February!
Since then, there have been 12 stages, and the offensive Atalantei has remained at a high level with Duvan Zapata in a lethal form. Sassuolo lost to Torino (2-3) in the last away and did not look dangerously in the last few weeks and will be assaulted by the hosts. In the tour, Atalanta has a definite 6-2 away and we are expecting a spectacular game again. Considering that in 6 of the last 8 straight duels of the two bands we have witnessed at least three goals scored, the “Over” selection seems inspired during the weekend.
TEAMS TO THE ATALANTA – SASSUOLO
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Gollini; Masiello, Djimisti, Mancini; Castagne, De Roon, Freuler, Gosens; Ilicic, Gomez; Duvan Zapata.
Sassuolo (4-3-3): Consigli; Lirola, Demiral, Ferrari, Rogerio; Magnanelli, Locatelli, Duncan; Berardi, Djuricic, Boga.
PREDICTION: Over 2,5 goals @ 1,38
