Monza vs Atalanta prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-04-20 18:45.
[p]Monza held Bologna to a goalless draw last weekend – the fifth 0-0 stalemate they’ve been involved in this Serie A campaign. Comfortably in the mid-table, the hosts now need to halt a three-game winless run (D1, L2) if they’re realistic about a top-half finish, which would serve as their first in top-flight history. Improving their second-half performances could be vital in that pursuit, as Monza have conceded their last nine league goals after half-time.[/p]
[p]Results wise, playing at the Brianteo has yielded better returns for the hosts lately, who have landed three wins across their last six home league games (D1, L2). The main worry for home fans is their inability to step up against top clubs though, as Monza have won only one home league match against sides starting the round inside the top-six (W1, D1, L3). The visit, then, of top-six chasing Atalanta only serves to add to the nerves, having lost the reverse fixture 3-0 in August.[/p]
[p]Atalanta moved a step closer to a first ever European final by progressing to the Europa League semi-finals despite a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on Thursday, winning the tie 3-1 on aggregate. With the expansion of Champions League qualification slots to five in Serie A, La Dea are now only four points behind, but they need to sort their recent five-game form (W1, D1, L3) to keep their hopes of qualification alive via the league route.[/p]
[p]In addition to the Europa League last four, Atalanta will also be thinking about the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg next week, where they trail Fiorentina by 1-0 after the first leg. A win here will help build momentum towards those key upcoming fixtures, but the visitors need to immediately address their away form, with just two wins across the last ten league trips (D4, L4).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Matteo Pessina has scored six of his last nine league goals in home games, with five coming after the break. Contrastingly, Teun Koopmeiners is turning into an away specialist for Atalanta, scoring nine of his last 11 league goals on the road, six of which arrived before half-time.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Monza kept a first-half clean sheet in ten of their last 11 league games.[/p]