Prediction: Atalanta vs AC Milan

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals in the first-half

Best Odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

In what is a mouthwatering showdown when this year’s Serie A campaign draws to a close on Sunday night, Atalanta will welcome AC Milan to the Gewiss Stadium.

Atalanta

Starting with the hosts, suffering a 2-1 defeat against now-former Italian champions Juventus in Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final, there is no doubt that Atalanta will be desperate to put that heartbreak behind them. Despite putting in another eye-catching display in midweek, La Dea have found themselves enjoying a real Serie A purple patch at the back end of the campaign. Last seen on top-flight duties landing themselves that action-packed 4-3 win against Genoa on the road, Head Coach Gian Piero Gasperini finds his squad enjoying an extended 11-match Serie A unbeaten run, a run that stems all the way back to March 8th. Gaining a reputation for their continued performances in the final third, it should also be noted that Atalanta have managed to muster a hugely impressive 29 points on their remarkable unbeaten run. All but securing a Champions League return for next season, Sunday’s hosts also having one attacking star enjoying his own individual purple patch. Bagging a consolation strike in midweek, Ruslan Malinovskiy has recorded six goals in his last eight matchups across all formats.

Team News

Despite picking up an ankle knock in midweek, wing-back Robin Gosens is set to feature again from the start this weekend.

However, struggling with a thigh issue, Atalanta are sweating over the fitness of Viktor Kovalenko.

AC Milan

As for the visitors, eventually having to settle for a 0-0 stalemate against Cagliari last weekend, AC Milan really know that the pressure is firmly on this weekend. While the Italian giants might find themselves sat in pole position to clinch a Champions League return, Stefano Pioli’s side make Sunday’s trip to La Dea holding just a one-point buffer over fifth-place Juventus. Still enjoying what has been a standout campaign at the San Siro and showing some real signs of improvements, I Rossoneri have mustered 10 points from their last four Serie A matchups. Bouncing back from that woeful 3-0 drumming at the hands of Lazio last month, they certainly laid down a marker with that thumping win against Juve on May 9th. Although Milan might face a tough trip to the Gewiss Stadium on Sunday, Pioli has been vocal about his side’s recent displays at the back. Managing to record themselves another clean sheet against Cagliari last time out, this weekend’s guests have recorded four clean sheets on the spin and have not picked the ball out of their own net in over 350 minutes of action.

Team News

Veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will once again miss out on Sunday night due to a knee issue.

Aside from having their Swedish star miss out this weekend, AC Milan have a full-strength squad to select from.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off back in January, Atalanta picked up a 3-0 win at the San Siro.
• Despite their Coppa Italia defeat against Juventus in midweek, La Dea are unbeaten in their last 11 Serie A matchups.
• AC Milan have collected 10 points from their last four Serie A fixtures on the road.
• Ruslan Malinovskiy has recorded six goals in his last eight matchups across all formats.
• Six of the last seven matchups between Atalanta and AC Milan at the Gewiss Stadium have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Despite their Coppa Italia heartbreak against Juventus earlier in the week, Atalanta know that they can not affair to show any signs of a hangover. With their sights now firmly set on making sure that they wrap up a silver medal finish this year, La Dea should be glad to make a return to home soil on Sunday night. Shocking many across Italy this year and all but securing a Champions League return for next season, this weekend’s hosts will also be boosted by that thumping 3-0 win when they faced off against Milan back in January. However, although AC might also find themselves sat in pole position to land themselves a top-four finish, they are still firmly looking over their shoulder. Holding just a one-point buffer over fifth-place Juventus, the pressure is really on at the Gewiss Stadium. In a matchup that famously produces chances, we’re backing a similar meeting in Bergamo.

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals in the first-half

Best Odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: Unibet