Avoiding relegation is the main target for Atalanta who have won none of their last 12 games. They are only seven points away from the drop zone. Edy Reja’s side have only picked up three points from the last five games and are yet to win in 2016.
Juventus are coming into this game exhausted after their midweek semifinal match in the Coppa Italia. Although the Bianconeri progressed to the final, they were made to toil really hard after throwing away a 3 goal lead. Juventus coach Max Allegri has urged his players to get back on track against a side very short on confidence at the moment.
Juventus have a decisive game against Bayern Munich coming up, and the players will be eager to show that the 3-0 loss against Inter was just a one-off. Nothing less than a win would do for Allegri’s side, especially with Napoli playing earlier tonight and expected to close the gap at the top with a win against Chievo.
Lineups
Atalanta
Possible Starting XI (4-3-3): Sportiello (Gk); Conti, Masiello, Paletta, Drame; Cigarini, De Roon, Kurtic; Diamanti, Borriello, D’Alessandro.
Juventus
Possible Starting XI (3-5-2): Buffon (Gk); Rugani , Bonucci , Barzagli; Cuadrado, Khedira, Marchisio, Pogba, Evra; Dybala, Mandzukic
Key Stats
- Atalanta’s last Serie A win against Juventus dates back to February 2001 – since then, there have been 20 Juventus wins and two draws.
- Juve have found the net in each of their last 26 Serie A games against Atalanta, scoring 59 goals in the process (2.3 goals per game on average).
- Atalanta have lost more games (61) and conceded more goals (197) against Juventus in Serie A than against any other team.
- Atalanta have lost 8 in a row at home against Juventus including a 0-3 loss last season.
- Juventus have won 64% of their away games.
Prediction
Atalanta 0-2 Juventus
After a record breaking run of consecutive wins, the Juventus squad have started to show some signs of tiredness. Nevertheless, they have somehow managed to extend their lead at the top of the table to three points. This is the ideal game for the Bianconeri to get back on track, as they travel to Bergamo to face an Atalanta side yet to win this year. Juventus should be confident of maintaining their advantage at the top, having not lost to Atalanta in Serie A since February 2001.
Odds (Bet365.com)
Atalanta win 7.50
Juventus win 1.56
Draw 3.80
