Atalanta to punish lowly Samp at home
Atalanta take on Sampdoria on Saturday evening in aiming to climb back into the top four of Serie A.
Juventus’ deduction has increased La Dea’s chances of securing Champions League football for next season, and it could only add to the battle towards the top end of the division.
La Dea have been their free-scoring selves in recent weeks and they will be hoping to continue in that vein when they welcome lowly Samp to Bergamo.
The visitors have scored just eight goals from 19 games in the top-flight this season and are eight points from safety as a result.
Defensively they have been stronger, and they have been underperforming in front of goal, however, as things stand survival looks very unlikely.
Samp were last relegated from Serie A in the 2010/11 season.
Process
La Dea are closer to a regular top-flight side than they were in the days of Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez, with their defence improving and their attack regressing a touch, that said, they are still one of the most exciting teams to watch in the division.
Ademola Lookman has been a revelation since signing from RB Leipzig, the 25-year-old has chipped in with 11 goals and three assists in the league, a goalscoring record only bettered by Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
Samp have scored just eight from 16.2 expected goals (xG) for, but those numbers still post a very unhealthy attacking process of 0.85 xGF per game, which without a top level rearguard will almost always result in relegation.
Davide Zappacosta and Duvan Zapata are sidelined for the hosts, while the visitors will be without Ignacio Pussetto and Manuel De Luca.
Sides very rarely travel to Atalanta and keep a clean sheet, therefore with such a poor forward line, despite the presence of Fabio Quagliarella and Manolo Gabbiadini, it feels unlikely that Samp have the answers.
Goals?
There is enough wriggle room in their outright price to get the hosts onside rather than prioritising a goals angle.
Atalanta have scored in nine of ten.
Atalanta have conceded in eight of ten.
Atalanta have seen both teams score in eight of ten.
Atalanta have seen over 2.5 goals in eight of ten.
Samp have scored in two of ten.
Samp have conceded in nine of ten.
Samp have seen both teams score in one of ten.
Samp have seen over 2.5 goals in two of ten.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
2-0 La Dea, job done.