Livorno vs Atalanta

Livorno and Atalanta face off in a match between clubs struggling to find an identity as the season reaches the New Year’s break. Livorno have been playing well of late but are still well within the reach of the pack struggling to stave off relegation, while Atalanta have been impressive at times but remain unable to jump into the UEFA Cup slots of the Serie A table.

Livorno did not play in week 16 as their match against AC Milan was rescheduled given that Milan were participating in the World Club Cup. They remain in 17^th place of the league table with 14 points, just behind 16^th place Siena on goal difference. Camolese’s side last played in Round 15 when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by AS Roma at the Stadio Armando. They have been playing much better of late however and that draw at home stretched their current unbeaten run to 6 matches of which 3 have been victories. There are a lot of injuries this week for Camolese to deal with including Antonio Filipinni and Amelia. The loss of Amelia means that De Lucia will need to take over in goal. In addition, veteran striker Rossini has been ruled out due to injury and will not be able to face his former side.

The bergamaschi are in 8^th place of the league table with 21 points, just 1 point off of the pace of Napoli. They were beaten at home in week 16 in their match to Palermo at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia by a score of 1-3. The loss was their second straight and they have now lost 3 of their last 5 matches. The injuries are beginning to pile up for Gigi Del Neri’s squad and this is taking a huge toll on their performance. This week Talamonti, Costinha, Carrozzieri, Simon Inzaghi, Guarente, Zampagna, and Langella are all expected to miss out. In addition, Doni is out suspended. These absences will force Del Neri to go with a make shift starting eleven. Gaurente is the toughest player to replace and Padoin will be asked to do his best. Muslimovic is set to make his first ever start for the club in attack alongside Floccari as they keep the 4-4-2 formation.

Livorno may be at the bottom looking up at Atalanta but their current form is far superior given Atalanta’s two straight losses. When you factor in that Atalanta will have a number of players missing once more, Livorno look all the more attractive as a choice.

Prediction: Livorno (1-0)

Atalanta vs Napoli

Atalanta Bergamo play host to Napoli at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia in week 14. It’s a match up of two sides even on points and within a whisker of the European Competition slots. This will be the first meeting between the two sides since 2004 when they were both in the second division.

The home side Atalanta come into this match following a 2-1 loss away to league leaders Inter Milan last week at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza at San Siro. With that result the Bergamaschi saw their modest 5 match unbeaten run halted. The result also allowed Napoli to leap-frog over them into the 6^th position of the Serie A league table. Atalanta are in 7^th place with 18 points and sit just behind them on goal difference.

Napoli are having a blast in this their first season back in the top flight since 2001. They are playing above all expectations thanks to a number of low profile signings who are turning in excellent performances. While many were aware of Uruguayan Marcelo Zalayeta from his days with Juventus, Argentine Ezequiel Lavezzi and fellow Uruguayan Walter Gargano have established themselves as rising stars in Serie A from seemingly out of nowhere. So much so that players such as Bogliacino and Sosa, who were regulars starters over the past two seasons for the club, now watch from the bench. Napoli held serve at home by a score of 2-0 over Catania last week with the aforementioned Zalayeta netting both goals.

There will be a few players missing on the Atalanta side this week. Manager Del Neri will be without the suspended De Ascentis and Simone Inzaghi in addition to the injured Rivalta. The good news is that Langella is back and will be able to take his spot on the left side of midfield. Napoli are at the other end of the spectrum with absolutely no injury or suspension concerns and will be at full strength for this match.

While Atalanta do have the advantage of being at home this week, they have only won 2 of 5 home matches so far this season. By the same token, Napoli have won just 1 of 6 road matches while losing three. Prior to last week, Atalanta had gone unbeaten in 5 matches while Napoli had been winless for 3. If Atalanta are going to make a move in the league table, this is their chance to pass Napoli. In addition, even a full strength Napoli will find that playing Atalanta away is nothing like hosting Catania.

Prediction: Atalanta 1-0

Inter Milan vs Atalanta

Inter Milan and Atalanta Bergamo meet at the San Siro in a clash of sides who had their respective matches postponed in Round 12. The nerozzurri were scheduled to play host to Lazio while Atalanta were to have done the same against AC Milan. Inter remain unbeaten on the season and are the only side with that distinction left in Serie A. Atalanta are off to a promising start themselves and currently occupy on of the UEFA Cup slots in the league table.

Inter’s undefeated record has seen them amass 25 points through 11 matches which are the product of 7 wins with 4 draws. They have a superb goal difference of 22 goals scored and only 7 conceded. That defensive record is currently tops in the league. They maintain a 2 point edge on second place Fiorentina. The Bergamaschi are in 6^th place with 18 points which are the product of 5 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses. They are within 4 points of 5^th place Udinese and are just ahead of Palermo on goal difference.

Inter’s last match came in Round 11 when they were able to hold out for a 1-1 draw away to Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. Atalanta are coming off of a big win away from home when they scored a 1-2 victory at Catania’s Stadio Carlo Castellani. Both sides feature players in the top 3 of the Serie A scoring table with Inter’s Ibrahimovic tied for 2^nd place with 7 goals while Doni represents Atalanta in a 3^rd place tie with 6 goals.

There are a couple of concerns for Del Neri as he prepares his squad for the match against Inter. In addition to the suspended De Ascentis, defender Rivalta has a slight muscle strain which could keep him out. Should he not be able to start Del Neri will need to choose between Balleri or Manfredini.

Roberto Mancini will be getting some key players back this week as Christian Chivu and Marco Materazzi are both available off of the bench. First choice keeper Francesco Toldo is still out the Brazilian Julio Cesar is coming off of a monumental performance in Brazil’s win over Uruguay earlier in the week and should be fine in his place. Walter Samuel will start alongside Ivan Cordoba in central defense with Materazzi on the bench.

Atalanta have proven to be a quality club this season and have only lost 1 match in 6 on the road this year. Inter are extremely tough to beat but that does not mean that Del Neri will not find a way to at least keep it close.

Prediction: Draw (0-0)

Atalanta vs AC Milan

Atalanta return home after a superb victory away Catania in Round 11. It’s been a remarkable season for the Bergamaschi so far as they have been exceeding all expectations. The victory over Catania puts them in 6^th place of the league table and in line to make a decent run at qualifying for a continental competition. The play of veteran Cristiano Doni and Floccari in attack has been superb with Doni tied for third in Serie A in scoring with 6 goals. There is even more good news for Del Neri’s side this week as left back Gianpaolo Bellini is back after a one month layoff due to injury.

As for the Rossoneri, they are going through one of their worst seasons in recent memory. Last season, AC Milan had been penalized by the FIGC and had points deducted at the start of the season. This led to their hovering around mediocrity for most of the campaign. That was not the case this year but yet Milan have struggled to find their top form in the domestic league. Despite a squad list that is an embarassment of riches, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are in 9^th place of the league table with just 14 points form 11 matches. They are coming off of a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Torino.

In truth, AC Milan’s struggles have been due in part to the turnover employed by Ancelotti. As the defending UEFA Champions League title holders, the Cup has been the priority at the San Siro and they have not used their best starting eleven for some matches. That will not be the case this week. Save for Ronaldo and Gilardino, who will start on the bench, and the injured Emerson and Jankulovski Milan will go with their full complement of players for this fixture. Kaka’, Pippo Inzaghi, and Clarence Seedorf are set to start.

While Milan are the road side this week they have actually played better on the road than they have at the San Siro where they remain winless this season. At the same time, Atalanta have won just 2 of 5 matches at home and appear to be playing a bit over their heads. Look for Milan to pull off the 3 points on the road.

Prediction: Road win (0-1)

« Previous Page