Serie A football tip preview: Rampant Atalanta looking to add to Juve's week of misery
- Sergiu Baltuta
- 22 January 2023
It's been a week to forget for troubled Juventus, and Tipstrr football expert Sergiu Baltuta believes that in-form Atalanta can add to their hosts' woes in Sunday's crucial Serie A clash.
Juventus come into this game after a tough week that began with a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Serie A league leaders Napoli, and ended with the news that their Serie A ambitions are now in tatters after being docked 15 points for 'financial irregularities, a decision that sees them drop down to tenth spot, twelve points adrift of the top four.
Juve's form has been impressive in front of their own fans, where they are unbeaten in nine home league games, including winning all of their last five without conceding a goal.
The last eleven games between Juventus and Atalanta have produced no less than seven draws, with each team enjoying two wins from their other four encounters, but at home Juventus have lost just one of their last 25 home games against the Nerazzurri (18 wins and 6 draws).
Atalanta go to Turin after an excellent week that saw them score no fewer than 13 goals in two games. Seven different goal scorers contributed to last weekend's emphatic 8-2 win against Salernitana, which they followed up with an equally impressive 5-2 success against Spezia in their midweek Coppa Italia tie.
In-form forwards Ademola Lookman and Rasmus Hojlund have been instrumental in Atalanta's recent success, with the Nigerian bagging a brace against both Salernitana and Spezia, and his nine Serie A goals make him his team's top scorer.
At the same time, his 19-year-old Danish strike partner has emerged as Atalanta's new sensation, rewarding Gian Gasperini's faith by scoring in each of his team's four games since the turn of the year.
Atalanta have picked up seven points from their three league games in 2023, and are back as serious contenders for a Champions league qualifying spot, especially after Juve's points deduction.
La Dea have been most effective on their travels, where their only defeat came unexpectedly at Lecce in November, while their other eight away games have produced six wins and two draws, and another positive result on Sunday night could see Atalanta squeeze their way into the top four.
