Serie A: Cup Final Re-run Should Excite

Juventus vs Atalanta

Thirteen games in and there is no doubt the Serie A table is taking shape in 2021/22.

Perhaps the only surprise is that Juventus, the side which has dominated the division for the past decade, are 11 points off the summit.

While the SBOTOP Serie A 2021 betting odds only make Juve fifth favourites for the title, that could change very quickly if Max Allegri’s boys embark on a winning run similar to one they have become accustomed to in recent years.

Standing in their way this Saturday are the surprise package of Italian football this last few years – the impressive, refreshing Atalanta team under the stewardship of Gian Piero Gasperini.

And given the two sides shipped seven goals between them in Europe in midweek, perhaps Serie A 2021 highlights and entertainment awaits in the Allianz Stadium.

 

Talking Points

Atalanta can be a joy to watch, at home and in Europe – certainly life watching them is never dull.

They suffered a worry in midweek when Davide Zappacosta was carried off in agony during their Champions League draw with Young Boys.

The wing-back has been in sparkling form so far this season after his transfer from Chelsea, contributing a goal and four assists in 16 appearances between Serie A and the Champions League.

Already without wing-backs Robin Gosens and Hans Hateboer, they could certainly do with Zappacosta making a quick recovery.

That result frustrated Gasperini and means La Dea have now fumbled nine points from leading situations in five Champions League games this season.

While Atalanta were drawing 3-3 in Switzerland, Juventus were shipping four goals without reply in London against reigning European champions Chelsea.

The Bianconeri had already qualified for the last 16 but after winning 1-0 in Turin earlier in the competition through a Federico Chiesa strike, they were torn to shreds at Stamford Bridge, prompting Allegri to admit his current team has ‘limitations’, while goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny described it as a ‘tragic’ performance.

It was embarrassing for Juventus, who had not lost by four clear goals in all competitions since a 4-0 Serie A defeat to Roma in February 2004 and went down to their worst ever Champions League defeat.

That will count for little on Saturday, of course, and with four points and four places separating the two teams domestically, the importance of victory cannot be underestimated – especially with Napoli and AC Milan threatening to build a gap at the top of the table.

Presumably the limitations, or some of them, that Allegri refers to is the absence of key men.

Danilo was recently stretched off against Lazio and will be out for at least two months, while Aaron Ramsey, Giorgio Chiellini, Mattia De Sciglio and Federico Bernardeschi are also expected to miss out.

On a brighter note, Paulo Dybala should be available after recovering from injury while on international duty and should partner either Alvaro Morata or Moise Kean in attack.

 

History

This corresponding fixture last term ended 1-1 as Chiesa’s opener was cancelled out by Remo Freuler.

Atalanta won the return game through a solitary Ruslan Malinovskiy goal in the 87^th minute.

The big one, though, went the way of Juventus as they won the 2021 Coppa Italia Final, thanks to a 73^rd-minute winner from Chiesa after Dejan Kulusevski and Malinovskiy traded goals.

While three of the last five meetings have ended all square, Atalanta have not won in Turin since the great Claudio Caniggia scored the only goal in a 1-0 Atalanta victory in 1989.

Overall in all competitions, Juventus have triumphed in 72 of their meetings, with 45 draws and 16 Atalanta successes.

The last meeting was a friendly that saw Dybala, Bernardeschi and Morata all finding the back of the net as Juventus won 3-1. Luis Muriel was also on target in Turin in what was Atalanta’s final pre-season game before the start of the current campaign.

 

Betting Tip 

	Juventus vs Atalanta	1X2 Juventus @ 2.14
	November 28, 1:00 (GMT+8)

With Serie A betting odds, if Asian Handicap betting is for you then take a look at Juventus -0.50 @ 2.14 or Atalanta + 0.00 @ 2.49.

Goals are expected with over 3.00 goals priced @ 2.11, total goal 2-3 @ 2.04 and total goal 4-6 @ 2.93 all on the table.

A repeat of the league fixture last season – correct score 1-1 – will pay out @ 6.20, while a re-run of the 2021 Italian Cup Final – correct score 2-1 – is offered, perhaps surprisingly, at a slightly higher @ 7.60.

For goals, how about total goal 2-3 @ 2.04, 4-6 @ 2.93 or just 0-1 @ 4.40.

The 1X2 draw is on offer @ 3.45 with an Atalanta success priced @ 3.20.My gut instinct tells me that, while Atalanta may be fourth and Juve in eighth, they now have some momentum in the league and can win again, led by warhorse Leonardo Bonucci.

 

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