Preview: Atalanta BC vs. Juventus – prediction, team news, lineups

Aims to move within two points of Series A summit, Atalanta BC will host a misfire Juventus page Tuesday evening.

Both beaten in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-finals before resuming the league with a disappointing draw, the clubs come together for a midweek clash in Bergamo.

Match preview

© Imago

Perhaps a little hungover from their mid-season sojourn in Saudi Arabia, which saw them dumped out of the Supercoppa by Inter Milan in the semi-finals, Atalanta were somewhat lucky to avoid defeat on their return to Italian soil.

Even Gian Piero Gasperini admitted luck was on La Dea’s side on Saturday afternoon as mid-table hosts Udinese twice hit the woodwork during the first half.

That result left Bergamaschi behind in first place midway through their Serie A campaign, but they are still very much in contention for a first ever Scudetto.

Having previously posted 12 wins from 13 games – defeating both Napoli and AC Milan along the way – Atalanta are now without a win in three as they head into a crucial few weeks that could go a long way in deciding their fate.

Last term’s Europa League winners have a pair of Champions League contests coming up later this month – the latter away to Barcelona – and before tackling Bologna in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, they face two tough league opponents.

Ahead of hosting title rivals Napoli next weekend, Gasperini’s men will look to post a 15th consecutive Serie A game without defeat when they face Juventus.

© Imago

Meanwhile, Juve could head to Bergamo after finishing the first half of their Serie A season unbeaten – yet, boss Thiago Motta is under serious pressure.

Days after losing to Milan in the Supercoppa semi-finals, the Bianconeri boss was sent off during a derby draw with Torino that left his side stranded outside Italy’s top four.

The first Derby della Mole of the year ended all square, as a special strike from Kenan Yildiz was canceled out by an equally spectacular equalizer from Toro’s Nikola Vlasic just before halftime.

Juventus have now drawn five of their last six league games, continuing a trend that undermined the Turin club through 2024 – long before Motta was appointed.

While part of the swap would under other circumstances be a perfectly acceptable result on Tuesday, Juve’s increasingly frustrated fan base will demand maximum points.

Motta’s men face Milan again next weekend before facing Club Brugge in the Champions League and then visiting Napoli, so the next fortnight will certainly test them.

Atalanta BC Serie A form:

Atalanta BC form (all competitions):

Juventus Serie A form:

Juventus form (all competitions):

Keep news

© Imago

Atalanta’s top scorer Mateo Retegui returned to training last week and, after missing Saturday’s goalless draw in Udine, will be back in the hosts’ squad to face Juventus.

Ex-Juve wing-back Juan Cuadrado also expected to recover from a thigh problem but long-term absentee Gianluca Scamacca could be followed on the sidelines of Berat Djimsitiwho was forced off with a head injury that required stitches.

With Retegui unlikely to start, Charles De Ketelaere was to continue his role up front, supported by Ademola Lookman. The latter are just one more goal short of reaching double figures in each of the last three Serie A seasons.

Meanwhile, Thiago Motta – who will be serving a touchline ban – will be hoping to get both Dusan Vlahovic and Francisco Conceicao back in the fold after muscle injuries.

Arkadiusz Milik, Juan Cabal and Bremen are all out for the long haul while the veteran defends Danilo is negotiating an early termination of his contract.

With the presence of Vlahovic still in doubt, Nico Gonzalez is on standby to act as false nine again; in midfield, Manuel Locatelli‘s return from suspension should see Douglas Luiz fall back to the bench.

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Carnescchi; Scalvini, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; Pasalian; Lookman, De Ketelaere

Juventus possible starting line-up:
Di Gregorio; Savona, Kalulu, Gatti, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Yildiz, Koopmeiners, Weah; Gonzalez

We say: Atalanta BC 0-0 Juventus

Although both sides boast plenty of attacking talent, it could be an intense tactical battle between Thiago Motta and Gian Piero Gasperini, who know well from their Genoa days.

Master meets apprentice in Bergamo and Gasp’s men should add to Motta’s frustration by playing a close game.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Email previews