Atalanta vs Genoa
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 30 October 2016
Kick-Off: 11:30 UK,
Venue: Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia (Bergamo).
Atalanta won 0-1 midweek at Pescara to move into 6th place with 16 points. 4th placed Milan are just 3 points ahead of Atalanta and it would be some achievement is Gian Piero Gasperini can keep his side in the top 6 come May.
Atalanta are 5 games unbeaten (4-1-0) winning the last 2. They have netted at least once in 5/5 but 2 goals or more in just 2/5. Defensively, they are strong with 3 cleans sheets in the last 4 including 2 against Napoli and Fiorentina.
At the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia it's 2 wins in a row over Napoli (1-0) and Inter (2-1). There hasn't been a home draw this season, Atalanta have scored in 4/5 but also conceded in 4/5 with strangely only Napoli not scoring in Bergamo.
Genoa
Genoa thumped Milan 3-0 on Tuesday night, leading 1-0 Milan were reduced to 10 men and 2 late goals sealed the points. Genoa are a place behind Atalanta in 7th and a win on Sunday will see them overtake their opponents.
After the loss to Sampdoria (2-1) last weekend it was a good bounce back performance. Genoa are tough to beat with that loss their only defeat in 6 going 2-3-1.
Away from home like Atalanta there hasn't been a draw this season (2-0-2). Wins at Crotone and Bologna have come against poor sides and I'm not as keen on Genoa when they play away form home.
Atalanta vs Genoa: Head-to-head statistics
Atalanta have won 13, drawn four, and lost three out of their last 20 home games against teams ranked below them in the table.
Genoa have won just three out of their last 20 away games against teams ranked higher than them in the table (four draws and 13 losses).
The Nerazzurri finally ended a seven-match winless streak against the Grifone when they beat them 2-1 this past month of May.
There have been under 2.5 goals in nine out of Atalanta’s last 10 home ties against Genoa.
Atalanta vs Genoa: Prediction
Both sides will be looking to cap off this week with a win. However, Atalanta have been the more consistently improving of the two opponents. As noted before, La Dea have won four out of their last five, and that includes victories against big clubs like Napoli and Inter. Expect goals from both sides, but one interesting thing to note is that Atalanta and Genoa like to score late. The Nerazzurri have actually netted only 25 per cent of their home games before the half-time break, whilst the Grifone only scored 20 per cent of the time in the first 45 on the road.
In addition, Atalanta have been quite strong, and more important, consistently so. Hence, La Dea are slightly more favoured to come out on top, albeit Genoa’s impressive midweek win cannot be discounted.
Atalanta vs Genoa: Betting tips
Both teams to score – YES – at 4/5 (1.80)
Double chance – Atalanta to draw or win at 17/50 (1.34).
