The Serie A showdown between Atalanta and Napoli is set to light up the Gewiss Stadium this Saturday, as the third-placed hosts face off against the unstoppable league leaders. With Atalanta determined to defend their home turf and Napoli riding a wave of flawless form, this promises to be a clash of fire and finesse.
Atalanta have shown flashes of brilliance but remain inconsistent, managing just one win in their last five outings across all competitions. Meanwhile, Napoli arrive as a relentless force, boasting a perfect record in their last five matches and looking every bit like champions in waiting. The stakes couldn’t be higher in this electrifying battle of ambition and dominance!
Atalanta enter this clash fresh off a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Juventus, showcasing their resilience once again.
Sitting proudly in third place with 42 points from 19 matches, La Dea have been one of Serie A’s standout teams this season. Their consistency shines through an impressive record of 13 wins, 4 draws, and just 3 defeats. With 43 goals scored and only 20 conceded, Atalanta's blend of attacking firepower and defensive solidity has made them a formidable force.
The Gewiss Stadium has become a fortress, with Atalanta claiming 7 wins from 8 home matches. Berat Djimsiti and Mateo Retegui returned to the fold against Juventus, the latter making a statement by netting the equalizer. However, injuries still linger, with Odilon Kossounou, Juan Cuadrado, and Gianluca Scamacca sidelined. Can Atalanta maintain their charge against Napoli? The stage is set for an electrifying encounter.
ATALANTA predicted lineup vs NAPOLI: Carnesecchi (GK); Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui.
Napoli march into this clash riding high on the momentum of a commanding 2-0 win over Verona, solidifying their position as Serie A's pace-setters.
With a remarkable 47 points from 20 matches, the Partenopei have set the gold standard this season. Their dominance is reflected in a near-flawless record of 15 wins, 2 draws, and just 3 losses. Offensively sharp and defensively impenetrable, Napoli have netted 32 goals while boasting the league’s stingiest defense, conceding only 12.
Even on the road, Napoli are a force to be reckoned with, racking up 7 wins, 2 draws, and suffering a solitary defeat. However, off-pitch drama looms large, as Antonio Conte revealed that star man Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has requested to leave the club, leaving his absence from the Verona victory a talking point. Adding to Napoli's concerns, defensive stalwart Alessandro Buongiorno is ruled out, and Mathias Olivera’s fitness remains uncertain.
Can Napoli maintain their stranglehold on the league amidst the challenges? Or will their fortress start to crack under pressure?
NAPOLI predicted lineup vs ATALANTA: Meret (GK); Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan, Spinazzola; Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay; Politano, Lukaku, David Neres.
Atalanta enter this clash after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Juventus, where Mateo Retegui rescued a point. However, the once-relentless Bergamaschi are now struggling, with just three wins in their last eight outings and no victories in their last four.
Napoli, meanwhile, continue to set the pace at the top of Serie A. Even without Kvaratskhelia, Conte’s men cruised to a 2-0 win over Verona, building on their dominant 3-0 dismantling of Fiorentina. With so much at stake, expect a tense, high-stakes showdown as Atalanta aim to end their slump against the league leaders.
Prediction: Draw.
