Serie A action resumes this weekend, and Juventus face a must-win match when travelling to Atalanta on Sunday. The Old Lady are in real danger of losing their grip over Italian football, with the Madrid sides battling it out for the title. It’s not over yet, and no one in the Juventus camp will be ready to throw in the towel.
Followers of the stats will be interested to know each of the last two meetings of Atalanta and Juventus has ended in a draw, and both teams have found the net at least once in the previous four games. Football fans planning to follow the live TV coverage of this game hope both teams serve up another high-scoring and entertaining 90 minutes, but both managers would likely settle for a dull 1-0 victory.
Atalanta chasing a top-four finish
Atalanta started the week in fourth place in Serie A after 30 rounds of fixtures. They have 61 points on the board, which leaves them well off the pace set by leaders Inter Milan and only two better than Napoli in fifth place. Holding their ground is Atalanta’s main aim for what’s left of this campaign, and they have high hopes of doing just that.
The locals are eager to finish in the top four and secure entry to next season’s Champions League, gaining access to the vast sums of cash on offer to teams involved in UEFA’s top competition. They have won each of their last four league starts, and there’s confidence in the ranks. A second-place finish is still within their grasp, but they require three points to give themselves the best possible chance of ending as runners up.
Juve need a strong finish
Last season’s Serie A champions Juventus, are currently in third place with 62 points. The Old Lady were favourites to retain the crowd and continue their dominance of Italian football, but things haven’t gone according to plan for Juventus so far. They are a dozen points off leaders Inter Milan with time running out. If Juve is to win the title, they must win each of their remaining games and hope Inter fall apart under pressure.
Juventus are unbeaten in their last three league starts, following a draw with back-to-back wins. They were last seen beating Genoa 3-1 at home thanks to goals from Kulusevski, Morata and McKennie. That result followed a 2-1 victory over Napoli a few days before. The visitors know what is expected of them here.
Atalanta vs Juventus prediction
Both teams are capable of finishing in the top four and securing Champions League football for next season. They could also fall off the pace and miss out on a top-four finish this term. Pressure is on both camps to hold their form and get over the line.
These sides have produced a draw in recent meetings, but a share of the spoils would do little for either team’s chances of finishing in the top four. Both managers know what’s at stake here and understand they must target the victory.
Serie A odds
Atalanta is 2.425 to win with Juventus 2.77 and the draw 3.56.
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