Football Results

It could be said this is less interesting of two semi-final matches as Juventus is palpably stronger team. It is especially true in this round as two matches are to be played, where the 2nd leg will be played in Turin. In the Serie A table Juventus stands much better; it has even 23 points more but it doesn’t occupy the leading position. Atalanta is positioned around mid-table, although it is not without chance to reach European positions. Both teams won way in the league last weekend, while their head-to-head in the league played in Bergamo around beginning of October had ended as 2-2 draw.

Atalanta

Atalanta plays variably recently but visibly better when it plays out side of its stadium than at it. The team from Bergamo lost the last time away around mid-November to Inter. After that it had four wins and one draw in the league, and one more triumph in the quarter-final of Coppa Italia over leading team in the Serie A, Napoli. Atalanta struggles when playing at home; it lost last two matches and didn’t win for a very long time.

Cagliari surprised them, while two rounds ago Napoli revenged for defeat in the Cup. On the other hand Atalanta won away very strong teams, like Milan and Roma, while last weekend it soundly defeated Sassuolo 3-0. Coach Gasperini had made several changes in the team after defeat by Napoli, and now he cannot count on injured midfielders Rizza and Spinazzola.

Probable lineups Atalanta Bergamo: Berisha – Toloi, Caldara, Masiello – Hateboer, Cristente, Freuler, Gosens, de Roon – Ilicic, Cornelius

Juventus

Juventus plays better and better, and we need to say that the team didn’t lose a match for a very long time. In the Serie A it happened the last time around mid-November last year, on the same day when ATalanta lost the last away match. Juventus also lost outside its stadium to Sampdoria, but after that mishap it drew only once at home with Inter and won eight other matches. Juve has six-game winning streak in the Serie A and it received just one goal in the same period, while in the Cup it defeated also without conceding a single goal by 2-0 Genoa and Torino. However, Juventus didn’t exactly make a name for itself in last three rounds as it struggled to win.

It won Cagliari away 1-0 thanks to goal scored in the second halftime. Genoa was also defeated in Turin 1-0, while last weekend they won Chievo away by 2-0, however, it should be said that the home team had to play with 10 players since end of first halftime. Only when Chievo’s second player was sent off in the second halftime Juventus managed to score its two goals. Coach Allegri combines the team as much as he can but it should be said that out of action are Howedes, Cuadrado and Dybala, which is big handicap for Juve.

Probable lineups Juventus: Buffon – Lichtsteiner, Chiellini, Benatia, Alex Sandro – Khedira, Pjanic, Matuidi – D.Costa, Higuain, Mandzukic

Verdict:

Atalanta plays much better away matches recently, which is why we don’t expect it can win very good Juventus in this match. Juventus didn’t lose for a very long time and will play the 2nd leg at home, however, it is not impossible to achieve advantage already in Bergamo.

Pick:  Asian handicap -0.25 Juventus 1.98 - 98/100 @1XBet