Atalanta vs Sassuolo prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-02-16 19:45.
Starting to flex their muscles, Atalanta enjoyed one of their better results of the season over the weekend as they defeated Genoa 4-1 on the road to keep their Champions League qualification prospects firmly alive. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side subsequently begin this matchday sitting in fourth spot, and with five wins in succession across all competitions as part of a streak that has seen them lose just once in 12 (W10, D1), Gasperini will expect his side to strengthen their grip on that last UCL place.
This season, only current leaders Inter Milan and third-placed AC Milan have scored more goals than Atalanta (44), although they will be without popular talisman Luis Muriel going forward as he departed this week for MLS side Orlando City. Despite that, a return to the Gewiss Stadium will likely see that goalscoring form continue further as the hosts have won seven competitive matches in succession at this venue, netting 21 goals in the process.
That’ll hardly come as music to the ears of visiting Sassuolo, as a 1-1 draw with Torino over the weekend extended their winless run in Italy’s top-flight to four consecutive matches (D1, L3). In fact, the away side have now won just one of their last ten outings in the competition (D2, L7) as they continue to fall closer and closer to Serie A’s relegation spots.
They begin this matchday just one point above the bottom three and are bidding to avoid a first-ever Serie A relegation this campaign. If they’re to pull themselves out of danger, the visitors seriously need to buck up their ideas on the road, as they’ve taken just eight points from their 12 away league fixtures this term whilst conceding 26 goals in the process – the second-most in the league!
Players to watch: Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere took his tally to ten goals across all competitions last time out, with his side winning all eight matches in which he’s scored this campaign. Sassuolo’s Andrea Pinamonti also netted over the weekend for his side, whilst five of his eight Serie A strikes this term have come as match openers.
Hot stat: Atalanta have received just 44 yellow cards in Serie A this season – the second-fewest in the competition.