Top-four hopefuls Atalanta will welcome reigning Serie A champions Napoli to the Gewiss Stadium on Sunday.
A high-stakes Serie A showdown awaits in Bergamo as Atalanta host defending Serie A champions Napoli, with both clubs locked in the battle for UEFA Champions League qualification.
Atalanta’s momentum was checked in midweek when they fell 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League playoff. Conceding inside three minutes unsettled Raffaele Palladino’s side, and despite their attacking ambition, they struggled to break down a disciplined German defence. The result leaves them facing a difficult return leg and raises the prospect of an early European exit.
Domestically, however, La Dea have been formidable. Unbeaten in Serie A throughout 2026, they have collected 20 league points this calendar year, second only to Inter Milan. Last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Lazio underlined their balance between defensive control and attacking fluency. At home, Atalanta are riding a four-match winning streak in the league, turning the Gewiss Stadium into a platform for their top-four push.
Meetings between these sides in Bergamo rarely disappoint. In each of the last six clashes there has seen both teams score, averaging four goals per match, a statistic that hints at another open contest.
Napoli, meanwhile, arrive with their title defence effectively over. Sitting third and 11 points behind leaders Inter Milan, Antonio Conte’s men are now fully focused on securing Champions League qualification. Their European and Coppa Italia exits have sharpened that domestic priority.
A dramatic late equaliser from Alisson Santos salvaged a point against Roma in the Derby del Sole last week, preserving a strong home unbeaten run. Yet concerns linger. Napoli have conceded eight goals in their last four league games and have failed to keep a clean sheet in seven consecutive matches across all competitions. Defensive lapses and costly penalties, they have conceded six goals from eight spot-kicks this season, have undermined their earlier solidity.
Still, Conte’s Napoli have shown resilience against elite opposition. In matches between the current top seven, they have amassed 15 points, among the division’s strongest tallies. Their 3-1 win in November’s reverse fixture demonstrated their ability to exploit Atalanta’s aggressive structure, and they have won on each of their last four visits to Bergamo.
Tactically, the game promises intensity. Atalanta will seek to control possession and press aggressively in wide areas, while Napoli are likely to rely on structured counter-attacks and transitional sharpness. Both teams possess the attacking quality to punish mistakes, and recent defensive vulnerabilities suggest opportunities at both ends. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Atalanta BC
Atalanta head into Sunday’s clash with a couple of notable absentees following a demanding week on both domestic and European fronts. Giacomo Raspadori, who previously represented Napoli, has been ruled out for approximately one month due to a flexor injury, reducing attacking rotation options.
Charles De Ketelaere also remains sidelined with a knee problem and is unavailable for selection. Aside from those two key creative figures, Raffaele Palladino has the majority of his squad fit and ready. There are no suspension concerns reported for this fixture.
With the second leg of their Champions League playoff looming, Palladino may consider subtle rotation in attack. Nikola Krstovic is pushing for a starting role and could replace Gianluca Scamacca, despite the latter having scored in each of his last two matches against Napoli. Krstovic’s league form has been strong this season, and his movement could provide a different dynamic against Napoli’s back line.
Atalanta are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Marco Carnesecchi will start in goal. The back three should consist of Giorgio Scalvini operating on the right side of central defence, Berat Djimsiti positioned centrally, and Honest Ahanor occupying the left-sided role.
In midfield, Davide Zappacosta is projected to feature as the right wing-back, with Lorenzo Bernasconi operating on the left flank. The central midfield pairing should see Ederson alongside Marten de Roon, combining physical presence with ball progression.
Further forward, Lazar Samardzic and Nicola Zalewski are expected to operate as dual attacking midfielders behind the striker, providing creativity and link-up play between the lines. Nikola Krstovic is the likely choice to lead the line for Atalanta, tasked with stretching Napoli’s defence and capitalising on service from wide and central areas.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Ahanor; Zappacosta, Ederson, De Roon, Bernasconi; Samardzic, Zalewski; Krstovic
SSC Napoli
Napoli arrive in Bergamo with a lengthy injury list that continues to test Antonio Conte’s depth. Scott McTominay remains doubtful due to a tendon issue and will be assessed late, though he is unlikely to start. Long-term absentees Kevin De Bruyne and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa remain unavailable, while captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo and winger David Neres are also sidelined.
Defensive stalwart Amir Rrahmani has recently sustained a thigh injury that could keep him out until April. On a positive note, Juan Jesus returns from suspension and is expected to step straight back into the defensive unit. There are no new suspension concerns beyond those previously served.
Given the injuries and rotation demands, Conte may once again rely on flexibility within his 3-4-2-1 structure. Rasmus Hojlund continues to lead the line effectively, sitting on eight league goals this season. Eljif Elmas is expected to feature prominently, especially if McTominay fails to recover, and he has historically performed well in Bergamo, scoring three times in his last three visits there.
Napoli are projected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic will start in goal. The back three should consist of Sam Beukema on the right side of defence, Alessandro Buongiorno centrally, and Juan Jesus occupying the left-sided centre-back role.
In midfield, Miguel Gutierrez is expected to operate as the right wing-back, with Leonardo Spinazzola positioned on the left flank. Stanislav Lobotka should anchor the midfield, partnered by Eljif Elmas in a more dynamic central role.
Further forward, Matteo Politano and Antonio Vergara are projected to operate as dual attacking midfielders behind the striker. Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line as Napoli’s centre-forward, tasked with exploiting Atalanta’s high defensive line and capitalising on transitional opportunities.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Buongiorno, Jesus; Gutierrez, Lobotka, Elmas, Spinazzola; Politano, Vergara; Hojlund
Key Stats
- Atalanta are unbeaten in Serie A throughout 2026, collecting 20 league points this calendar year, the second-highest tally in the division behind Inter Milan.
- La Dea have won their last four home Serie A matches, turning the Gewiss Stadium into a stronghold in their push for a top-four finish.
- Each of the last six Serie A meetings between these sides in Bergamo has seen both teams score, with those matches averaging four goals per game.
- Napoli have conceded eight goals in their last four league matches, compared to just seven across their previous 10.
- The Partenopei have won on each of their last four visits to Bergamo, including a 3–1 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Player to Watch
Rasmus Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund carries Napoli’s primary attacking threat into this pivotal clash in Bergamo. The Danish striker has netted eight league goals this season and continues to provide Antonio Conte’s side with verticality, physical presence, and intelligent movement across the frontline.
Hojlund thrives when attacking space behind high defensive lines, a scenario likely against Atalanta’s aggressive back three. His pace in transition and ability to time runs between centre-backs make him particularly dangerous in open contests, especially in matches that historically produce goals at the Gewiss Stadium.
With Napoli navigating defensive absences and needing consistent attacking output in their top-four pursuit, Hojlund’s clinical edge and hold-up play could determine whether the Partenopei leave Bergamo with a crucial result.
Prediction
Atalanta BC 2-2 SSC Napoli
This fixture has all the ingredients for an open, high-tempo contest. Atalanta’s aggressive pressing and strong home form suggest they will look to dictate play, especially after their midweek European disappointment. Their unbeaten domestic run in 2026 reflects a side that responds well to setbacks.
Napoli, however, have consistently raised their level against top opposition under Antonio Conte. Despite defensive concerns, their attacking quality, particularly through Rasmus Hojlund and Matteo Politano, gives them the tools to exploit Atalanta’s high line.
Given the recent history of goal-heavy meetings in Bergamo and both sides’ defensive vulnerabilities, expect momentum swings and chances at both ends. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-2 draw for Sunday’s Serie A clash at the Gewiss Stadium.
