Atalanta vs Udinese
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 12 December 2016
Kick-Off: 14:00 UK,
Venue: Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia (Bergamo).
Atalanta’s great winning run was blown away in a trip to champions Juventus on Saturday night. Having put together a brilliant string of victories, they had risen to fourth in the table, only to come up short against the best in the league. The ease at which Juve won showed the gulf between them. But just how will they bounce back?
That will be key to their season. Having lost ground on the sides around them, la Dea need to get back to winning ways. If they let one defeat turn into a few, they’ll fall down the table a lot faster than they climbed it. Atalanta have had a great season so far, but they can’t just settle for that winning run. They have an excellent chance to continue their strong home form this weekend.
They host an Udinese side who are right in the middle of the bottom half. They moved 10 points clear of the bottom three with a result on Monday night, but they haven’t exactly been impressive so far, averaging just a point per game on the road. The visitors have now lost 57% of their away matches this term, which isn’t the kind of form to take to Bergamo.
Atalanta have won four straight matches at home, that’s a run of form which they can continue. Given some of their results and displays in recent weeks, their brilliant run can’t be dismissed as a streak. They’re a fantastic unit, and they can achieve more this season. They’ve hit at least two goals in their last three here, those came against the likes of Inter Milan and Roma.
Meanwhile, Udinese have conceded 1.57 goals per game this season, they’ve kept a clean sheet in just 14% of their matches on the road. They pit that record against a side who create 16 shots per game on average, converting 11% into goals. The visitors concede from 10% of the shots they face. They could come under even more pressure than usual in their trip to Bergamo, seeing as the Zebrette average just 43% of possession per game.
Atalanta went to Juventus with no fear as their slogan. We don’t expect them to curl up on the back of one defeat. They still have an excellent record at home, and the fixture list has been kind to them. Facing Udinese is the perfect chance to bounce back which is why we’re tipping a home win here, which is priced at 3/4 with bet365.
Atalanta vs Udinese: Head-to-head statistics
Atalanta have a record of W13 D4 L3 in their past 20 home games against teams ranked below them in the table.
However, La Dea have won just one out of their last 11 meetings with Udinese (seven wins, three draws).
Six out of the last eight ties between Atalanta and Udinese at Atalanta’s home ground have finished as stalemates (two wins for La Dea).
Atalanta are undefeated in their last ten home meetings with Udinese across all competitions.
Udinese have won just one out of their last 20 away games against teams ranked above them in the table (D6 L13).
Atalanta have scored at least two goals in their past three home games.
Atalanta vs Udinese: Prediction
The loss to Juventus after putting together one of the most impressive unbeaten runs in Europe surely will have stung, but Atalanta have shown some serious fighting spirit this season. La Dea also will want to take advantage of Udinese’s generally bad away form and the Zebrette’s struggles at this ground. Although the visitors will be feeling better after ending their four match winless streak, they could face a tough task to topple an opponent who have been quite formidable on home turf.
Atalanta are missing a few players, but should be able to get at least a point from this fixture.
Atalanta vs Udinese: Betting tips
Both teams to score – YES at 19/20 (1.95)
Atalanta – WIN at 3/4 (1.75)
Over 2.5 goals at 21/20 (2.05).
