Juventus vs Atalanta Prediction: Back the hosts to bounce back

Serie A is full of outstanding games this weekend and another of them will take place in Turin, where Juventus entertain Champions League chasing Atalanta. The game will kick-off at 17:00 on Sunday and will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

Our Italian Football expert Daniele Fisichella has been working overtime this week as he previews the action and provides us with his two Best Bets as part of his Juventus vs Atalanta predictions...

Only just over a month ago, Juventus were locked in a tight title race with Inter. But after collecting only five points in their last six matches the Bianconeri have slumped 15 points behind the Serie A leaders.

After the 1-0 defeat at San Siro, which virtually handed the Neroazzurri the title, Massimiliano Allegri’s side seem to have lost their stile and with it part of their self-confidence.

In fact, they’ve let in six goals in the last three games and haven’t kept a clean sheet since 21 January (3-0 at Lecce).

Equally, they can’t be reproached for the way they performed last Sunday against Napoli: had Dušan Vlahović hit the target at least once (the Serbian had six shots, struck the post once and missed three big chances) Juve would have, deservedly, come out of the Maradona with at least one point.

Now, with AC Milan breathing down their neck (the Rossoneri are just one point behind in the table), the hosts need a reaction.

Aside from the Sunday clash against Atalanta, who are nine points away, Juventus have a tricky run of fixtures ahead. They’ll face Genoa (against who they drew 1-1 in the reverse fixture), Lazio three times (twice in the Coppa Italia semi-finals), Fiorentina, Torino in the derby, AC Milan as well as both Roma and Bologna away from home.

It’s between now and May that we’ll find out if not having played in Europe this season has had any real benefit to Juventus’ players fitness and sharpness.

The visitors are without a win in four games (two defeats, two 1-1 draws), but produced an encouraging performance last Wednesday in Lisbon against Sporting.

The Orobici conceded the first goal (that’s the third time in their last four away games), but levelled thanks to Gianluca Scamacca and hit the woodwork three times.

A positive result, considering Sporting’s great numbers at home this season (15 wins, two draws, one defeat, also against Atalanta in the group stages), that leaves qualification to the Europa League quarter-finals very much open.

Atalanta have now equalled their longest unbeaten run (seven matches, excluding preliminary rounds, as they did between September 1990 and March 1991) in European competitions.

The visitors have played four times against top sides in the space of just 10 days and will continue to have a tough calendar (with games against Fiorentina, Napoli and Sporting) up until early April.

Gianpiero Gasperini will have to make some important choices in terms of turnover to avoid his team losing touch with Bologna and Roma.

Team News:

The Bianconeri are paying attention to McKennie's fitness as he’s recovering from his shoulder injury. The American will try at the last minute to be part of the squad.

However, Rabiot is still struggling with a foot problem and Alcaraz will have a new opportunity to start in midfield. Kostic and Iling Junior are in contention for a start as left wing-back. Chiesa will play alongside Milik as Vlahovic is suspended. Danilo returns to the defence from the start, Gatti is currently ahead of Rugani.

For “La Dea” Gasperini should rely on De Ketelaere in the role of false nine with Koopmeiners and Lookman in support, Scamacca and Miranchuk should find space in the second half. De Roon and Ederson will play in midfield with Pasalic on the bench. The flanks will be manned by Zappacosta and Ruggeri, Holm is suspended. In defence Djimsiti might make space for Hien.

Juventus vs Atalanta Odds:

High odds whichever outcome you look at for this Sunday evening clash.

Juventus are favourite (23/20) to get the three points: this season they’ve only lost once at home (1-0 to Udinese) and held the leaders Inter to a 1-1 draw. However, Max Allegri’s men have only won one of the last three (but no clean sheets) at the Juventus Stadium.

The odds for the draw (23/10) and visitors’ win (5/2) are pretty much identical. Atalanta have already lost six away games in Serie A and only won two of the last six on the road in all competitions.

Only Roma (four) have collected less points than Atalanta (six) in games between teams in the first seven positions of the table. The Orobici sit in 10th position in the away table, with a negative goal difference (-2). Nine of the last 14 games between these to sides have ended in a draw.

Over 2.5 Goals pays Evens as six of Atalanta's last eight Serie A games have had three or more goals.

Over 3.5 goals has been a winning bet in four of Atalanta's 13 Serie A aways this season, however Juventus have only conceded eight times in Turin (second best home defence after Inter and Bologna) and have kept six clean sheets.

Both Teams To Score @ 4/5

Atalanta have kept only one clean sheet in their last eight games in all competitions and in the reverse fixture (which ended 0-0) they deserved to score at least twice.

Juventus need a reaction and, despite Dušan Vlahović’s absence, if they play with the same spirit they showed at the Maradona they’ll be able to break the visitors defence.

Both teams have scored in Juventus' last three Serie A games and in four out of six Atalanta’s games in Italy.

Carlos Alcaraz Anytime Goalscorer @ 7/2

Juventus’ January signing will start his second game in a row. Last Sunday he provided the assist to Chiesa, but more is expected from the young Argentinian, especially in a home fixture.

For many Alcaraz is the type of player, quick and creative, that Juventus has missed in midfield this season and on Sunday he might have some joy between the lines of Atalanta’s defence.

You can check out all of Daniele's Serie A Betting Tips here each week along with those of our other Italian Football writers...