Atalanta vs Salernitana prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2023-01-14 17:00.
Despite winning just one of their last five Serie A (SA) games (D1, L3), Atalanta find themselves firmly in the race for a European spot. With six sides from 2nd-7th separated by just six points, there is little more margin for error for Atalanta ahead of the visit of Salernitana, as they go in search of back-to-back league wins for the first time since October after beating Bologna 2-1 on Monday.
It was an early goal Atalanta conceded in that game, and counteracting such goals has been something they’ve struggled with; they’re one of two SA sides ahead of the round not to score a league goal in the opening 15 minutes this season. Facing SA’s joint leakiest defence in the opening 15 minutes coming into the round could be a blessing then, as Atalanta aim to end a three-match losing home league run.
Seeking to end a winless run of their own, Salernitana travel on the back of an unsuccessful five-match SA run (D2, L3). Battling back from a goal down against Torino to claim a 1-1 draw in their last outing ended a three-match losing league streak, but with their last SA win coming back in October, Salernitana are perhaps counting their blessings to have already built up a hefty cushion to the drop zone.
Things are unlikely to get any better with a trip to Lombardia, a region where Salernitana are winless in 11 SA visits (D2, L9), conceding at an eye-watering average of over two goals per game. Conceding goals will likely again be on the menu for a side with just one away league clean sheet all season, but with this their first game of their SA travels in 2023, a result like their 2022 away opener, a 2-1 victory against Verona, certainly wouldn’t go amiss.
Players to watch: Teenage Danish sensation Rasmus Højlund looks to be finding his feet at Atalanta, scoring second-half goals to make the score 2-1 in their last two SA games. Perhaps earmarking this fixture to boost his goal tally, Salernitana’s Krzysztof Piątek has scored more career competitive goals against Atalanta than any other opponent (six).
Hot stat: Salernitana failed to score in the first half in seven of their eight away league games this season.