Prediction: Atalanta vs Verona

Verdict: Atalanta to lead at half-time

Best odds: 1.89

Bookmaker: ZetBet

The 32nd round of the Serie A will conclude Monday night with the match between Atalanta and Verona at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo. While the visitors work hard to prevent relegation, the hosts compete to qualify for the European Cups.

Atalanta

Due to Gian Piero Gasperrini’s team’s recent poor performance, they fell behind in the race for top-four spots, allowing Bologna and Roma to gain ground on the host team. Atalanta has to step up the pace towards the end of the season to avoid finishing outside the European Cup qualification spots since they have won only once in the last six rounds.

The home loss to Bologna could become crucial at the end of the season. However, following this shocking loss, Atalanta displayed strong recovery signs away from home, demolishing Napoli away (0-3) and drawing against Juventus (1-1) in Turin. Despite these stellar performances and high spirits, La Dea unexpectedly faltered at Cagliari, losing 2-1, diminishing their own chances for a top 4 finish.

The only teams to win at Gewiss Stadium this season are champions Inter, Napoli, and Bologna; yet, the outcomes in Bergamo have elevated Atalanta to a formidable power. Gian Piero Gasperini’s team is also clearly the favourite against Verona, having won 10 of their previous 14 home games.

Furthermore, Atalanta has a brutal schedule in Europe and at home towards the end of the season. Today’s hosts will face challenging matches shortly that could decide Atalanta’s ultimate standing this month. La Dea’s players are in for some real contests, starting with the quarterfinals of the Europa League return game against Liverpool, the Italian Cup semifinals against Fiorentina, and the intense Serie A home matchup against AS Roma.

Team News

Centre-back Giorgio Scalvini is the only unavailable player for Atalanta. The former Brescia youth Academy player has sustained a hamstring injury and is expected to return at the beginning of May. Martin de Roon and Davide Zapacosta are also out due to suspensions.

Verona

Due to their dismal play during the entire season, Verona are only one point above relegation before this round. However, Marco Baroni’s team pulled off two close wins in March against Sassuolo and Lecce, their immediate relegation rivals, despite their precarious situation. This winning run was ended by AC Milan’s visit, though, as the Rossoneri defeated Verona in a no-contest game (final score: 1-3).

Furthermore, Marco Baroni’s team, which is in critical need of a victory over Atalanta, was further demoralised by the previous round’s home loss to Genoa. Verona will need a miracle to escape relegation given their difficult end-of-season schedule, which includes games against strong opponents like Lazio, Fiorentina, Torino, and Inter.

However, today’s visitors will try to repeat their recent performances at Gewiss Stadium where they managed to win two of their last three games, hoping for a positive result to ignite the survival battle. On top of that, Marco Baroni’s side’s last two away results will be something his players will look up to, with Verona defeating Lecce and drawing at Cagliari lately.

Team News

Centre-forward Juan Manuel Cruz is out with an undisclosed injury sustained on 9th February. The medical staff is investigating his condition, hoping to have the striker back on the pitch as soon as possible. Also, Marco Baroni won’t count on Central Middfield Suat Serdar who is serving a match ban suspension.

Key factors to consider

• Atalanta dropped the level in the last game suffering a shocking defeat at Cagliari, leaving Bologna and AS Roma to lead the top 4 challenge
• The hosts are very dominant at home winning 10 of their 14 games played at Gewiss Stadium
• Gian Piero Gasperini  is facing difficult challenges ahead both in Europe and domestically
• Verona is engaged in a fierce relegation battle and needs a positive result at Atalanta to avoid further dropping in the table
• Marco Baroni’s team has an excellent recent h2h record against Atalanta, winning two of the last three encounters

Conclusion

Although Atalanta’s recent results are below expectations, the visitor has the perfect opponent to get back on track in the top 4 race with a win over Verona. We expect the hosts to take on an early lead in the 1st half and finish the game with at least two goals in Verona’s net.

Verdict: Atalanta to lead at half-time

Best odds: 1.89

Bookmaker: ZetBet