Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
In what is a heavyweight Serie A showdown on Friday night, Atalanta will welcome AC Milan to Bergamo.
Atalanta
Starting with the hosts, getting their hands on a maiden piece of European silverware back in May, Atalanta have continued on what has become a sensational purple patch. Laying down another marker earlier in the week as they clinched a deserved 2-0 victory away at Italian giants Roma, La Dea are riding what has become a famous wave of momentum. With the mood around Bergamo at a red-hot high, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men are suddenly pencilled in as a genuine Serie A title contender this season. Opening up this weekend’s fixtures sat just a single point adrift of climbing to the top of the table, Atalanta will certainly be looking to collect another heavyweight scalp here. In fact, opening November with a famous 3-0 romp away at Napoli, Friday’s hosts have remarkably won each of their previous eight consecutive appearances across all competitions.
Atalanta Team News
Still yet to make a single appearance so far this season after sustaining a long-term knee injury over the summer, Atalanta will once again be without former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca. Likewise, dealing with a recent thigh issue, one-time Chelsea defender Davide Zappacosta remains a major doubt on Friday night.
Enjoying what has become a sensational start to life in Bergamo and already registering 12 Serie A strikes, Mateo Retegui will spearhead La Dea’s charge in the final third. Heavily linked with many of Europe’s elite ahead of the January transfer window, ex-Leicester youngster Ademola Lookman will partner Retegui in attack.
AC Milan
As for the visitors, while AC Milan might have initially struggled to find their feet under the guidance of new boss Paulo Fonseca, the Italian giants have come roaring back in some style. Extending on their Copa Italia adventure earlier in the week as they cruised their way to a routine 6-1 romp against Sassuolo, the former Lille boss has seen his squad gain plenty of recent plaudits. Springing an almighty Champions League upset last month as they clinched a 3-1 victory away at defending European champions Real Madrid, the Rossoneri have also found a major clinical edge in the final third. Last seen in Serie A action landing a 3-0 win at home against Empoli, AC Milan have now notched at least a trio of goals in four of their previous five matchups across all competitions.
AC Milan Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, AC Milan will once again be without the trio of Ismael Bennacer, Alessandro Florenzi and one-time Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic this weekend. Handed a Copa Italia rest against Sassuolo earlier in the week, French shot-stopper Mike Maignan will return between the sticks here.
Registering nine direct Serie A goal contributions so far this season, former Chelsea star Christian Pulisic will play a leading role in Bergamo. Recording a first domestic strike since the end of September against Empoli last week, Alvaro Morata will be hoping to keep his spot in attack.
Atalanta vs AC Milan Key Factors to Consider
- When Atalanta and AC Milan last met back in February, Friday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate at the San Siro.
- La Dea have suffered just a single defeat against AC Milan across all competitions.
- Atalanta have won each of their previous eight consecutive appearances across all competitions.
- AC Milan have registered at least a trio of goals in four of their previous five appearances across all formats.
- Four of the last five meetings between Atalanta and AC Milan have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Two Italian giants who are enjoying their own extended flurries, neutrals will be hoping for a Serie A thriller on Friday night. With Atalanta opening up this weekend’s fixtures sat just one-point adrift of climbing to the top of the table, La Dea are firing on all cylinders and will be desperate to lay down another heavyweight marker here. However, with Friday’s opponents playing out a 1-1 stalemate when they last met back in February, they do have a habit of producing fireworks. It should be noted, with four of the last five meetings between Atalanta and AC Milan finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome this weekend.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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