Curtain closer with the potential to thrill

The pick of the bunch this midweek has to be Bologna hosting Atalanta, two free flowing attacking sides whose process ranks them comfortably inside Italy’s top eight facing off for one final hurrah before Serie A’s winter break. Both sides have no motive to hold back and Musa Barrow in action against his former employers adds a little spice to the occasion, what a prospect that young man is. The visitors come in as strong favourites having dismantled a decent enough Roma side at the weekend, demonstrating their prowess when onsong. Gian Piero Gasperini’s men have raised their game in recent weeks after a hesitant start to the campaign, they currently sit seventh.

Process

Not dissimilar to Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League trend wise, Bologna are easily a top half side in terms of expected goals and other underlying metrics. However having lost out in small margins consistently this term, they find themselves in 14th place with just three sides between them and the relegation trapdoor. The Red and Blues are eighth for expected goals and with likeness to their 2019/20 season, are slightly top heavy. The hosts rank seventh for expected goals for, creating chances equating to 18.4 expected goals, performing sustainably with 19 goals so far. They have seen an underperformance at the back, conceding 25 from 22.5 expected goals, sitting 16th for both measures. Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side will be hoping their impressive process will stand them in good stead to face one of the most potent attacking contingents on the planet in 2020.

The Goddess are gathering form, if they can replicate anything close to the data they posted last term, the rest of the field should be worried. A lot has been made of the strain on the relationship between Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez and Gasperini, with the Argentinian seeing less first team opportunities in recent weeks. But the gaffer has been courageous in looking to make the team less reliant on their talisman, and we have seen a pickup in fortunes. Gomez is easily inside the top 10 attacking midfielders in Europe, however he turns 33 in a couple of months, it is wise for Gasperini to trial methods to improve the squad overall, while plan A was not working. Atalanta have not been as erratic as last term thus far, with some pleasantly surprisingly defensive process. Even with those efforts they have seen an underperformance, the impact of Cristian Romero at the heart of defence has been a great one, they have limited their opposition to just 14.9 expected goals, seeing 18 fly in. Continue the chance limitation and the shutouts will come.

Atalanta are the better team and heavy favourites, but Bologna have scored in nine of 10 and have enough to breach the Goddess’ backline.

Bologna - Atalanta Betting Tip

Both Teams to Score + Over 2.5 goals with Betway at odds of 47/20 or 2.35.

Bet Both Teams to Score + Over 2.5 goals on Betway