Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 7/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Torino are aiming to narrow the distance separating them from Atalanta BC in the Serie A standings as they prepare to clash in round 14 at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Monday.
Ivan Juric’s team ended their three-game undefeated streak in the previous round against Bologna, while Atalanta extended their winless run in the league by losing to Napoli.
Torino
Torino will have felt like their season would be turning in the right direction before their visit to Bologna last week, when they were sent crashing down with a 2-0 defeat. Bologna’s impressive form might have made such an outcome not too difficult to foresee, but Ivan Juric and his men will have to gear up and try to do better against Atalanta.
Torino’s home record this season isn’t too bad, but three draws tend to hide the fact that they’ve lost only once in front of their supporters so far, and that to Scudetto-chasing Inter Milan. They’re hopes will have been somewhat boosted by the 3-1 home win over Sassuolo before the international break, which means a potential triumph on Monday would see them record consecutive home victories in the league for the first time in over a year.
On the other hand, they failed to beat Atalanta in their previous seven encounters with this opponent, and that will be another thing for Torino players to bear in mind. It could prove useful if channeled as motivation.
Team News
Torino will be without Perr Schuurs for the rest of the season due to an ACL injury. Adding to Juric’s defensive problems, Ange Nguessan (thigh) and Saba Sazonov (nose) are also unavailable for Monday, as is defensive midfielder Samuele Ricci (thigh).
The game will have special significance for striker Duvan Zapata, who will be looking to hurt his former club by getting on the scoresheet.
Atalanta
Meanwhile, Atalanta have obviously been struggling to stay focused as they fight on several fronts. They’ve done very well in the Europa League, where they top Group D ahead of Sporting Lisbon, Sturm Graz and Rakow Czestochowa, but in the Serie A, they’re now in seventh place after failing to win any of their last three matches, losing at home to Inter and Napoli, and earning a point away to Udinese.
The Napoli defeat last week annoyed coach Gian Piero Gasperini greatly, and he publicly criticized Marco Carnesecchi for the mistake the goalkeeper made that enabled Eljif Elmas to score the winning goal for the defending champions.
Traveling to Turin, Atalanta will be aiming to arrest the drop, lest they lose further ground in the fight for the spots leading to European football next term. For the time being, they’re in with a shot for Champions League qualification, but they can hardly afford another slip-up if they hope to play in UEFA’s elite competition in 2024/25.
Team News
Defender Sead Kolasinac limped off the pitch in Atalanta’s draw against Sporting earlier this week, and Gasperini will be worried about the availability of the Bosnia and Herzegovina international.
The good news from the midweek game is that Berat Djimsiti recovered from a bout of flu and played, but captain Rafael Toloi (muscle), Jose Luis Palomino (hamstring), Davide Zappacosta (ankle) and Charles De Ketelaere (knee) aren’t expected back yet.
Conclusion
With Europa League progression secured and the top spot in the group looking more than likely, it’s time for Atalanta to focus more fully on their domestic challenges and end their winless streak, playing against a team they haven’t lost to in a long time.
Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 7/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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