Key battle in Serie A top four race in Bergamo
For the first time in what feels like forever, Juventus enter the final stretch gunning for a top four finish rather than their routine Serie A title. With Inter Milan on the cusp of bringing that home and ensuring the Old Lady cannot make it 10 in a row, Juve must prioritise qualifying for the Champions League, with Napoli, Lazio, Atalanta and AC Milan jostling for the remaining three spots behind Antonio Conte’s men. It is a credit to how far Gian Piero Gasperini’s La Dea have come that they are favourites when hosting Juve at this critical stage of the season, with this match seemingly a dress rehearsal for the Coppa Italia final.
Process
Juventus sit top of the expected goals standings compared to third in Serie A with comfortably the best process in the league. It is intriguing where it has gone wrong this season, a quality playmaker must be high on their summer shopping list, Cristiano Ronaldo has shown no signs that he will not be just as potent of a force next season and beyond, but under Andrea Pirlo it is clear there is a longer term vision at the club than with previous cycles.
La Dea on the other hand have not been the expected goals kings as much as they were last season but have still performed outstandingly given their budget. They are the highest scorers in the division but the most impressive part of their game this term has been at the back. Compared to last season to see them sat third for expected goals against is a huge contrast and it speaks volumes to the impact of Cristian Romero at the heart of the backline. Always entertainers are La Dea so despite coming up against more prestigious names in Italian football this Sunday you can be assured they will throw everything they have at Juventus.
Goals?
Overs looks on but the lines are too short for me to get involved.
- Atalanta have scored in eight of 10.
- Atalanta have conceded in eight of 10.
- Atalanta have seen both teams score in six of 10.
- Atalanta have seen over 2.5 goals in six of 10.
- Juve have scored in nine of 10.
- Juve have conceded in eight of 10.
- Juve have seen both teams score in seven of 10.
- Juve have seen over 2.5 goals in eight of 10.
Juve feels a good value play with their consistently strong process this season, Pirlo will want to get one over Gasperini before the Coppa Italia final.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Ruslan Malinovsky grabbed a late winner for La Dea. 1-0.